Adam Carolla Show: Kevin Rahm + Steve Byrne (Carolla Classics)

August 15, 2025
PodcastOne / Carolla Digital

Episode Overview

This episode of Carolla Classics revisits two standout appearances: actor Kevin Rahm (Mad Men) and comedian Steve Byrne. Host Adam Carolla, with co-hosts Allison Rosen and Brian Bishop, is joined by Dave Damashek for a characteristically candid, spirited discussion blending pop culture, personal anecdotes, irreverent life observations, and comedic rants. Topics span the politics of popularity in Hollywood, the value of "grit,” religion, childhood hardships, show business, and the absurdities of human nature.

Key Topics & Highlights

1. Pop Culture, Politics & Unpopularity Lists

[04:15–12:22]
Adam reacts to appearing #2 on a "celebrities whose politics have made them unpopular" list—behind Dennis Miller—alongside names like Chuck Norris, Stacey Dash, Kirk Cameron, and the Dixie Chicks.

• Discussion:

  • Carolla reflects on the meaning of "unpopular": with Hollywood, with the public, inability to work, etc.
  • Explores whether unpopularity is rooted in politics or just not fitting prevailing entertainment industry views.
  • The group pokes fun at the list’s subjective metrics and who it actually impacts.

• Notable Quote:

  • "You get on that list by bringing up those kinds of things. But I’m sort of flattered to be—"
    —Adam Carolla [22:54]

• Memorable Moment:

  • Adam's faux frustration at being second to Dennis Miller and joking about embracing his “unpopularity.”

2. Culture, Race, and Grit: Personal Responsibility vs. “The System”

[13:15–23:08]
Sustained debate about cultural groups’ educational attainment, family structure, and how societal progress is made.

• Highlights:

  • Adam’s argument that meritocracy, hard work, and family unity are unfairly labeled “right wing” values.
  • Pushback and nuance from Dave Damashek and Allison Rosen; inclusion of Jews and Asians as “model” examples.
  • Recap of Carolla’s debate with Gavin Newsom regarding family and education in minority communities.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “Me saying parents should stick around and raise the children is not radical or revolutionary. It’s the fucking truth.”
    —Adam Carolla, quoting himself [13:09]

  • “I want them gritty. I want them tough. I want them hungry."
    —Adam Carolla [101:36]

• Memorable Moment:

  • The team listens back to a tense exchange with Newsom as Adam presses for “family first, education first” as keys.

3. Absurdities of Life: The Saddest Sights

[24:43–28:02]
Adam and Dave debate what’s sadder: a fat guy riding a tandem bike alone or a wheelchair user propelling himself with his feet.

• Comedic Take:
  • Adam riffs on both scenes as tragicomic, with layers of symbolism and empathy.

4. Blindness, Dreaming, and Adolescent Sexuality

[28:29–29:49]
A frank, humorous speculation on what blind teenagers fantasize about, blending curiosity with typical Carolla irreverence.

5. Dave Damashek’s Sports, Perm Bets, and “Creep of the Week”

[29:50–41:58]

• Sports [29:50–38:45]:

  • Damashek narrates sports anecdotes, offers “Number One Sports” rant, and reminisces about outrageous sports bets (including a “perm bet” with Ray).

• Creep of the Week [38:56–41:58]:

  • Exploration of the psychology behind guys who put girlfriends on their shoulders at concerts for the chance to get them backstage.
  • Recurring theme: posturing, insecurity, and “everyone stinks.”

6. Mad Men’s Kevin Rahm on Acting, Mormon Upbringing & Grit

[44:37–55:27]
Kevin Rahm recounts his entry into Mad Men, late-career success, growing up Mormon, and shedding faith.

• Highlights:

  • Rahm discusses the humility of actors who “make it” later in life, and lessons learned from endless audition rejection.
  • He shares Mission stories (Switzerland, France, Mauritius), and how knocking on doors built resilience for Hollywood.
  • Candid talk on leaving Mormonism after confronting unanswered questions as a teen.
  • Touches on family relationships post-faith and the “freedom” of pursuing acting.

• Notable Quote:

  • “It is the best preparation to be an actor because it is constant rejection. You literally knock on doors and say, ‘Hey, can I tell you about Jesus?’ And no one. No one says yes.”
    —Kevin Rahm [48:41]

7. News and Pop-Riffing

[59:37–109:22]
Allison Rosen presents stories for humorous, often raunchy dissection:

• Killer Bees [59:54–67:31]:

  • Adam revisits his years-long riff on “Africanized” bees, finally vindicated by a tragic Texas case.
  • The group debates the “heroism” of a man stung by thousands of bees, comedic funeral scenarios, and local news idiocies.

• Michael Douglas’ Cancer & HPV [68:02–73:57]:

  • Analysis of Douglas’ claim HPV-caused throat cancer via oral sex—doubt, ridicule, and nature’s “checks and balances” abound.

• Childbirth, Nature’s Plan, and Women’s Expiry Dates [80:00–88:52]:

  • Adam muses that childbearing was meant to be dangerous, society intervenes too much, nature wants us to move on, and marriage/sexual “rules” are artificial.

8. Childhood Hardship and “Tales from the Cheap”

[131:13–157:53]
Listeners call in with stories of being raised frugally or outright cheap, triggering Carolla’s classic tirades on powdered milk, generic food, and lunch-bag humiliation.

• Notable Callers:

  • Carlos: Dad fills ice chest with free ice from McDonald’s soda fountain [131:13].
  • Aaron: Dad, a driver’s ed teacher, fails his own son and sets up booby-trapped shower timers and hot water valves [140:02].
  • Steve: Paper lunch bags must be reused all week; Carolla recounts his dad’s disastrous egg salad sandwiches.

• Memorable Quotes:

  • “If you cannot afford milk, do not have kids.”
    —Adam Carolla [149:06]
  • “The first rule in Cheap Club is: your time is worth nothing.”
    —Adam Carolla [134:43]

9. Steve Byrne & Voicemail Rants

[159:24–166:51]
Steve Byrne joins for stories about drunken voicemails and the media overreacting to minor scandals (Pat O'Brien’s infamous call, Baldwin, etc). Laughter over the performative outrage cycle and schadenfreude.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Hollywood Unpopularity List & Politics: [04:15–13:15]
• Family, Education, Race Debates: [13:15–23:08]
• Saddest Sight: Fat Guy on Tandem Bike: [24:43–28:02]
• Blindness, Sex & Adolescent Fantasies: [28:29–29:49]
• Sports & Perm Bets: [29:50–38:56]
• Creep of the Week: [38:56–41:58]
• Kevin Rahm Interview (Mad Men, Mormonism): [44:37–55:27]
• News: Killer Bees, HPV & Michael Douglas, Childbirth: [59:37–88:52]
• Tales from the Cheap (Listener Calls): [131:13–157:53]
• Drunken Voicemails & Media Overreaction (With Steve Byrne): [159:24–166:51]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Carolla on meritocracy and “right wing” values:
  “Work hard. Keep the family together. Study, get ahead. Don’t tell your boss to fuck off. Don’t rely on the government for handouts. Feed your own kids. These are now wild right wing platforms. It used to just be called America.”
  —[10:50]

• On the news cycle outrage:
  “When did this stuff become such a big deal? … No one really gives a shit. We’re just into schadenfreude.”
  —Adam Carolla [163:15]

• Kevin Rahm on Mormon Mission life:
  “Constant rejection … best preparation to be an actor.”
  [48:41]

Tone & Style

The episode is robustly comedic, blending rapid-fire banter, acerbic wit, and blue-collar philosophy. Carolla maintains his trademark skepticism toward government, authority, and “softness,” while co-hosts and guests keep the energy lively and self-aware. There’s a nostalgia for rougher, more self-reliant upbringings, a recurring defense of personal grit, and a constant undercurrent of pop culture fun—balanced with self-effacing humor and relentless pursuit of the ridiculous.

Additional Highlights

• Recurring Themes:

  • “Grit” as the antidote to societal woes.
  • Cynicism toward Hollywood, “victim” culture, and cheapness in childhood.
  • Comedic deconstruction of celebrity and American obsession with scandal.

• Inside the Studio:

  • Segments are playfully interrupted for music, live reads, or commentary on what Gary is (or isn’t) finding online.
  • Beloved drop-ins: jokes about “cool down zones,” “walking recess,” and nature’s brutality.

• For Fans & New Listeners:
  This episode encapsulates why Carolla’s brand endures: it’s part confessional, part roast, part group therapy, and always honest-to-a-fault. Listeners new or returning will find both biting social commentary and big laughs, plus behind-the-scenes stories from TV, sports, and childhood.