Adam Carolla Show “Carolla Classics”: Jesse Ventura + Jo Koy (Nov 8, 2025)

Overview

This “Carolla Classics” episode is a curated revisit of memorable moments from the Adam Carolla Show. The episode features two major classic segments from 2014: an in-depth, lively call-in interview with Jesse Ventura (former governor, wrestler, and perennial anti-establishment voice), and a hilarious, freewheeling appearance by comedian Jo Koy alongside Gavin McInnes. True to Carolla’s style, the conversations blend irreverent comedy, cultural commentary, spirited debates, and personal anecdotes.

Main Segments and Key Discussion Points

1. Jesse Ventura Interview and "Off the Grid" (Starting ~13:34)

Participants: Adam Carolla, Jesse Ventura (call-in), Allison Rosen, Monica Mehta, Brian “Bald Brian” Bishop

Highlights & Discussion Topics:

• Jesse’s Life Off the Grid:

  • Ventura shares why he’s gone completely “off the grid,” living in Mexico and refusing to fly due to his frustration with TSA security after 9/11 and what he calls the “criminalization” of air travelers.
    • “I quit flying and I do not participate in air travel anymore. I haven't now for about five years.” – Jesse Ventura (13:48)
  • He recounts a tale about being patted down as Governor in the Minneapolis airport and bemoans the lack of “common sense” in such policies.

• Dysfunction in American Politics:

  • Ventura rails against the two-party system (“Democrats and Republicans, they've been in charge for 150 years. They are responsible. The buck stops there.” – 17:53), advocating for true political independents and repeating Jerry Garcia’s line:
    • “When you're made to pick the lesser of two evils, you're still picking evil.” – Jesse Ventura quoting Jerry Garcia (18:23)
  • Ventura discusses what his platform would be if he ran for president – he’d be the first since George Washington with no party, but admits he could do “nothing” because of the system’s structure.

• Conspiracy, Power, and the Media:

  • Adam and Jesse argue how system “bribery” inhibits political change and discuss Jesse’s reputation as a “fringe” figure. Ventura makes clear he draws a line between his entertainment career in wrestling and his anti-establishment worldview: “Excuse me, that's entertainment.” (23:15)
  • Adam plays devil’s advocate, probing Ventura on conspiracy theories and presidential legacies.

• Energy, Technology, and the Future:

  • Adam runs a lightning round with “King Ventura” hypothetically making policy on energy. Jesse strongly opposes nuclear and coal, advocates for solar and wind, and claims the government blocks “free energy” innovations à la Nikola Tesla (26:46–27:22).

• Living Outside the System:

  • Jesse describes his life with his wife and dog in Mexico, making his “dream job” show “Off the Grid,” free from the FCC and government oversight.

• Reflections on Achievement & Legacy:

  • Adam praises people like Ventura for having “a motor” and living “five lives in one,” noting Ventura’s history as a Navy SEAL, wrestler, actor, governor, etc. (34:32)

Notable Quotes:

• “The whole system is based on the concept of bribery. ... In the public sector, that's the status quo.” – Jesse Ventura (24:41)
• “I'm always going to give extra respect to a Navy SEAL, even if he's a little chubby and BALD now.” – Adam Carolla (33:52)

2. The Entrepreneurial Instinct with Monica Mehta (Starting ~43:05)

Participants: Monica Mehta, Adam, Allison, Brian

Highlights:

• Monica stresses the need for risk-taking and debunks the myth that being thorough and safe is the best route. “If you want to be an entrepreneur, you must take risks.” (48:38)
• Discusses brain science around risk aversion and why overemphasis on safety can be stifling.
  • “85% of us are wired to feel fear first.” – Monica Mehta (55:20)
• Explores how risk-taking is both impulsive and adaptable and criticizes the American culture’s tendency to “play it safe.”
• Talks about why Texas is a hotspot for entrepreneurs due to its culture and boomtown economics.

Memorable Exchange:

• Adam: “If I only accepted excellence, I'd be divorced and living in a very unexcellent apartment somewhere in Van Nuys.” (45:12)

3. Everyday Life Riffs, News, and Signature Carolla Banter

Topics include:

• Adam’s early-morning Stern interview and weirdness of being awake at 4:51 am (02:28–08:26)
• Dogs and their singular focus on food, late-night joggers, and the secret life of spiders (06:19–12:14)
• The decline of the cassette tape, mediocrity, and marking the “small stuff” (43:32–45:56)
• Parenting anecdotes about play-it-safe culture, riding in car seats, ziplining fears, and family arguments over where to eat dinner (53:26–98:00)
• Saving leftovers, waste aversion, and cosmic principles of not wasting food (100:44–102:10)

Best Adam Rant (on comfort and waste):

• “My whole thing is I want to go down in a huge dirigible accident. ... I don't want it to be a $3 fan belt that kills me.” (84:48)

4. Jo Koy & Gavin McInnes: Comedy, Culture, and Canada (Starting ~104:27)

Participants: Adam Carolla, Jo Koy, Gavin McInnes, Allison Rosen

Jo Koy Banter:

• Jo Koy and Adam riff on animals, the sadness of a squirrel’s existence, and the hierarchies of pathetic public sights (106:16–111:24)
• Discussion of oddball childhood roller skates (“adjustable metal skates with a leather strap... it was an iron maiden for your foot”—115:37)

Gavin McInnes on Canada and Vice magazine:

• McInnes unpacks the cultural and political oddities of Quebec and the Canadian obsession with distinguishing itself from both the US and English Canada.
• “Quebec was founded by soldiers from France and prostitutes. So the general IQ there is pretty low.” – Gavin McInnes (155:21)
• Critique of government overreach: “Just keep the fucking street lights on, fill the potholes, stop the violent crime, and then shut the fuck up.” – Adam Carolla (162:51)

News/Pop Culture:

• Running debate on “comfort” culture: people wearing slippers to work, dressing down on planes, and “the obsession with being comfortable is why there’s such an abortion issue.” – Gavin McInnes (196:29)
• On risk and police advice: “Hey cops: stop telling us to do your job. You do it!” – Adam Carolla (138:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “When you're made to pick the lesser of two evils, you're still picking evil.” – Jesse Ventura (18:23)
• “The only thing on your fucking plate [as a dog] is chow.” – Adam Carolla (06:20)
• “If you want to be an entrepreneur, you must take risks.” – Monica Mehta (48:38)
• “85% of us are wired to feel fear first.” – Monica Mehta (55:20)
• “I'm taking it home. Cause that was something that was alive... it's a cosmic thing for me. It has nothing to do with money.” – Adam Carolla on not wasting food (100:44)
• “It's easy to go, ‘okay, all right, okay, all right’—but anytime somebody was a Navy SEAL... I will always have X amount of respect for you.” – Adam Carolla (33:52)
• “Just government, keep the fucking street lights on... and then shut the fuck up.” – Adam Carolla (162:51)

Important Timestamps

• 13:34—Jesse Ventura call-in begins, discussing life off the grid and the Fourth Amendment.
• 17:30—Ventura critiques American politics; Jerry Garcia quote.
• 26:06–28:03—Ventura on energy, alternative tech, and government suppression.
• 43:05–56:06—Entrepreneurial risk with Monica Mehta.
• 100:44—Adam’s cosmic, almost spiritual, argument against wasting food.
• 104:27—Joe Koy & Gavin McInnes segment starts.
• 155:21—McInnes’s biting take on Quebec and Canada’s internal divisions.
• 162:51—Adam’s “just fix the potholes” summary of ideal government.

Tone and Style

Unfiltered, fast-paced, and always irreverent. Adam Carolla’s mix of sharp observational humor, blue-collar wisdom, and cultural skepticism frames every segment—whether tackling politics, technology, family, or daily peculiarity. Guests like Jesse Ventura and Gavin McInnes bring their own strong opinions and anecdotes, fueling Carolla’s signature back-and-forth banter.

For the Listener

This episode is a quintessential “Carolla Classics” primer: combative but good-natured debate, real talk about politics and risk, a celebration (and send-up) of oddballs and overachievers, and a comedic lens on everyday frustrations. It’s a lively ride, whether you tune in for the deep dives with Jesse Ventura, the practical entrepreneurship chat, or the unfiltered, joke-heavy segments with Jo Koy and Gavin McInnes.