"Are You Garbage?" with Leanne Morgan – Episode Summary
Podcast: Are You Garbage? Comedy Podcast
Hosts: Kevin Ryan & H. Foley
Guest: Leanne Morgan
Release Date: November 6, 2025
Overview
This episode of "Are You Garbage?" features beloved Southern comic Leanne Morgan, who joins Foley and Kippy for a hilarious deep-dive into her Tennessee upbringing, family business, and meteoric comedy career. The hosts put Leanne through their signature “Are You Garbage?” game show, exploring her childhood on a tobacco and meat-processing farm, college days, family life, and her current success—including a new Netflix special and sitcom. The conversation is loaded with Southern flavor, undeniable warmth, and Leanne’s trademark humility and wit.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Leanne’s Southern Roots & Family Background
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Tobacco Farming Origins (04:09–08:09)
- Born in Bowling Green, Kentucky; raised on the Tennessee/Kentucky border in a small town ("500 people, now maybe 625").
- Generational tobacco farmers ("dark fire tobacco that makes Copenhagen and Skoal").
- Dad cut meat at Kroger; family ran a grocery store and a meat processing plant ("ran a 100-acre tobacco farm... alfalfa, corn, soybeans, but mostly tobacco").
- Small-town quirks, like hanging deer carcasses in winter (“if it was cold enough, they'd hang those deer in the trees”; 10:51).
- Anecdotes involve her beagle ("I ran him over a couple of times, but he was so fat, he'd just go boom"; 11:49).
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Famous Neighbors (05:56–06:28)
- Saw Johnny & June Carter Cash at Sherwin Williams buying paint, Mandrell sisters at Dillard’s ("in bras at Dillard's"), and even Colonel Sanders at a buffet.
2. School & College Years
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Small-Town Schooling (12:29–13:33)
- Graduated with a class of 42; Future Farmers of America was big.
- Knew from early on she was destined for Hollywood—wanted to be a comedic actor.
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College & Meeting Chuck Morgan (13:33–17:00)
- Attended University of Tennessee amid a “rocky road” and kept her GPA a secret.
- Met her husband Chuck waiting tables (“he bought my cigarettes trying to woo me”; 16:32); he broke up with her once for “smelling like cigarettes” (16:59) but later they married.
- Fun fact: Leanne refuses to reveal her ACT score, joking, “I’ll go to my grave with it!” (15:11).
3. Family Life & Career Evolution
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Family and Marriage (18:00–21:18)
- Married to Chuck, an executive with Berkshire Hathaway for 30 years (“He can be a butthole at home, but is adored by his employees”; 21:18).
- Three kids and two grandbabies; Chuck Morgan lore abounds throughout.
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First Jobs & Family Business (25:38–26:05)
- Wrapped meat, worked on the farm—wanted a job at Wendy’s but was needed at home.
4. Is She Garbage? (The “Test” and Game Show Bits)
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Concerts & Cars (21:44–25:17)
- First concert: Osmond Brothers (sister was a fan), later the Jackson 5 (“That whole album was my jam”; 22:16).
- First car: Used burgundy Monte Carlo with T-tops, inherited after sister stole it ("she switched them in the driveway, nobody said anything”; 24:56).
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Cooking, Eating, and Fast Food Habits
- Home cooking was farm-to-table before it was cool: “We knew where our meat came from… we killed our own beef” (28:45).
- Favorite meal to make: Mississippi pot roast (“packet of au jus, ranch dry mix, a stick of butter, jar of pepperoncini”; 36:13).
- Loves “a dip”: "I like to dip…love a sauce." (31:07)
- Not picky with fast food: “I don't think there’s any I don’t like” (49:25); favorite is a Wendy's Single.
- Admits to sneaking snacks into the movies ("all my life”; 48:38).
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Holidays and Family Rituals
- Christmas: Always a real tree, white lights, and Chuck handles decorations “like Martha Stewart” (51:52).
- Family gatherings always at Leanne’s place for the holidays.
5. Adult Life and Success
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Home & Financial Upgrades (41:12–46:51)
- Recently moved into a renovated older house with an in-ground pool, elevator (“for my mama in a wheelchair”; 43:27), SubZero fridge, and multiple bars (“Chuck went way Chuck Morgan on his office”; 45:06).
- Still shops for herself sometimes, but now with assistant support.
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Comedy Career
- Started standup at 32 after moving to San Antonio and Austin (47:10–47:24).
- Broke big in her 50s (42:51); warm acknowledgment of the late success and the grind ("I want people to know that…stand up is hard"; 47:58).
6. Lifestyle, Travel, and Little Indulgences
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Travel & Planes
- Got first passport at 40, traveling for Chuck's company (“had to get my passport for a company trip, and I was bawling because it was my 40th birthday”; 59:31).
- On flights: Always brings wipes, prefers aisle seats (“I like to be free, if something goes down, I don't want to be up in the corner”; 53:50).
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Home Habits
- Sleeps on her side, pillow between legs, with sound machine and sleep mask (“I like a pillow between my legs… like a sleep mask, a sound machine, I got all that going on”; 37:46).
- TV in the bedroom, mainly for Chuck.
- Keeps extras like wipes and snacks handy.
- Loves leftovers: “Farming people don’t waste things” (58:53).
- Will eat cold pizza or spaghetti (“I like a spaghetti or pizza cold”; 59:09).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Small Town Fame:
“Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash were at Sherwin Williams buying paint.”
—Leanne Morgan, 06:28 -
On Her Childhood:
“If it was cold enough, they hung those deer in the trees until they could get to them…And I had a beagle that I ran over several times, but he was so fat.”
—Leanne, 11:49 -
On Ambition:
“I was gonna go to Hollywood and I knew that from the time I was little.”
—Leanne, 12:45 -
On Steaks:
“Well done, please. I was raised on a farm and in a meat processing plant…I've got to have it charred, and I don't care. I dip it in some A1.”
—Leanne, 30:33 -
Regarding Family’s Fastidiousness:
“Chuck Morgan doesn't like to spend money. Much. A saver.”
—Leanne, 31:48“He went kind of way Chuck Morgan on his office…there’s a wine fridge in that. Under the sink.”
—Leanne, 45:06 -
On Comedy Success:
“You came into the public spotlight fully, professionally complete…significantly better than both of us.”
—Kevin, 48:15 -
On Frugality & Waste:
“My first tour, the big panty tour, I took every piece of fruit… if the crackers haven't been opened, I take them home.”
—Leanne, 58:02 -
On Being “Trash”:
“100% trash. It's not even close. You are 100% Southern trash. And I love it.”
—Kevin, 67:31
Important Segment Timestamps
- Leanne’s Country Childhood: 04:09–13:10
- Meeting Chuck & College Antics: 13:33–18:00
- First Cars and Small Town Stories: 21:44–25:17
- Family Business Details (Meat Plant): 08:23–12:08
- Food & Cooking Confessions: 28:41–37:02
- Comedy Career Beginnings: 47:10–47:58
- Home Details, Upgrades & Fridge Talk: 41:12–46:51
- Garbage Game Show Bits: Interspersed, e.g. 48:38 (sneaking snacks), 59:09 (cold pizza), 61:30 (turquoise jewelry)
- “Are You Garbage?” Verdict: 67:31
Tone & Style
Leanne is humble and down-to-earth with a quick Southern wit and an open, self-deprecating humor. The hosts are warm, teasing, and affectionate, reveling in the quirks and traditions of Southern “trash.” The episode is a blend of nostalgia, professional insight, and comedic banter, never mean-spirited—always fun.
Final Thoughts
Leanne Morgan is joyfully declared “100% trash, and we love it,” but revered for her comedic mastery and authenticity. The conversation is a celebration of Southern working-class culture, family dedication, honest success, and infectious, relatable laughter.
Essential Listening For: Fans of stand-up, lovers of Southern stories, anyone dreaming of a nontraditional path to success—or just folks who like to “dip” their steak in A1.
Suggested Segments:
- 04:09 — Leanne’s upbringing in small-town Tennessee
- 17:00 — College and meeting Chuck
- 36:02 — Favorite home-cooked meal
- 47:10 — Starting standup at 32
- 59:31 — Getting her passport and opening the world
Special Shout-outs:
- Chuck Morgan—a legend in his own executive time
- Mississippi pot roast, Monte Carlos with T-tops, and fat beagles everywhere
- The magic of small-town life and second-act stardom
Check out Leanne’s specials “Unspeakable Things” and “Leanne” on Netflix.
Follow Kevin & Foley for more “Are You Garbage?” episodes.