Podcast Summary: Bellied Up Episode #143 - "The Untold Truth About School Bus Drivers"
Host Information
- Hosts: Miles ("You Betcha Guy") and Charlie Berens
- Podcast Title: Bellied Up
- Description: Hosts Charlie Berens and Miles engage in comedic banter while interacting with live callers from across the Midwest and beyond, creating a unique blend of humor and relatable conversations.
Episode Details
- Title: The Untold Truth About School Bus Drivers
- Release Date: March 13, 2025
1. Setting the Scene: Dr. Jekyll's Bar (00:00 - 02:57)
The episode kicks off with Miles and Charlie settling into Dr. Jekyll's bar in Appleton, Wisconsin. Their playful banter sets a humorous tone as they discuss the bar's vibrant reddish-orange and green paint scheme, contrasting it with the ubiquitous gray walls of most bars.
Notable Quotes:
- Charlie: "Two sides of the coin, Miles. Two personalities." [00:20]
- Miles: "Feels like it's always been here." [01:19]
2. Comedy Riffing and Stand-Up Advice (02:57 - 08:32)
Charlie shares that he's working on his stand-up routine, prompting Miles to offer unsolicited suggestions to spice up his act. They joke about incorporating pyrotechnics, explosive elements to engage the audience, leading to a discussion about cost-effective alternatives. Miles also suggests innovative stage movements and structural changes to Charlie's performance, though Charlie humorously dismisses some ideas as impractical.
Notable Quotes:
- Miles: "Nothing will engage an audience like a ball of fire." [03:12]
- Charlie: "I think you need some more pyrotechnics at your show." [03:12]
3. The Idea of a Live Bellied Up Show (08:32 - 09:34)
The conversation shifts to the potential of hosting a live Bellied Up show. Miles and Charlie brainstorm ideas on how to incorporate live audience participation, such as in-person callers and interactive segments. They discuss logistics like booking venues in various cities, enhancing audience engagement through cocktails and interactive submissions, and the challenges of maintaining the show's energetic vibe in a live setting.
Notable Quotes:
- Charlie: "We bring a bar up there, and they come on up and. And we talk out there." [08:24]
- Miles: "And see, the trick is it's getting harder to come up with excuses not to go because she makes the parties for the day that I go clean her house." [18:32]
4. Caller Segment: Sarah from Buffalo, NY (10:00 - 31:06)
Introduction: Sarah calls in from Buffalo, New York, expressing frustration about being late to her scheduled call and seeking advice regarding her cleaning business client, who she suspects might be a swinger.
Discussion Points:
- Client Behavior: Sarah describes her client's overly friendly and somewhat intrusive behavior, such as leaning in excessively, inviting her to parties, and making personal comments.
- Suspicion of Swinging: Miles and Charlie explore whether the client is genuinely friendly or has ulterior motives related to swinging. They humorously suggest tactics for Sarah to uncover the truth, including inviting her husband to the parties or subtly confronting her client.
- Client's Personal Life: Sarah shares details about her client's family situation, including her having many children and a seemingly indifferent husband.
- Compromises for Business: Sarah highlights the difficulty of refusing the client's invitations without impacting her business, as the client pays well and refers other clients to her.
- Additional Anecdotes: Sarah recounts past experiences with other clients where she discovered BDSM equipment in clients' homes, adding to her concerns about the nature of her current client.
Notable Quotes:
- Sarah: "This is crazy. And then she just kind of shrugged it off." [12:33]
- Miles: "I think you need to point blank ask her, like, why isn't my husband get an invite?" [19:43]
- Charlie: "You could have also put in some effort." [28:49]
- Sarah: "He thinks that it's funny. And now he's starting a bag out of me." [19:19]
- Charlie: "And if something happens during that party that is weird, it was Miles who paid the money." [22:44]
Insights and Takeaways:
- Business Boundaries: The episode underscores the importance of setting professional boundaries to avoid personal entanglements with clients.
- Navigating Suspicion: Balancing business relationships while addressing personal suspicions requires tact and strategic communication.
- Impact on Personal Life: Sarah's situation highlights how business relationships can spill over into personal life, affecting family dynamics.
5. Caller Segment: School Bus Driver from Southeastern Indiana (31:06 - 48:45)
Introduction: A school bus driver from Southeastern Indiana joins the conversation, discussing the challenges and quirks of his job, alongside his unique living situation.
Discussion Points:
-
Exhausting Nature of the Job: The bus driver explains the fatigue from constantly waving and greeting numerous students, many of whom ignore his gestures. He expresses concern over the lack of good Midwest values among the youth, particularly their obsession with smartphones.
Notable Quotes:
- Bus Driver: "I'm on different routes about every different day." [36:16]
- Charlie: "Look at you. Look at him, though. Holding it down, committed to saying hello." [34:35]
-
Behavioral Issues with Students: He shares anecdotes about misbehaving students, including one who refused to disembark due to sibling rivalry, requiring intervention from a parent.
Notable Quotes:
- Bus Driver: "He refused to get off the bus because he was mad that his sister got off before he did and he started crying." [36:44]
- Charlie: "What you need? You need a Midwest dad on there to smack the phone out of their hands." [34:08]
-
Living Situation: The bus driver recounts his broken engagement and subsequent arrangement to live on his ex-girlfriend's family farm, where he continues to work with her father. This peculiar living arrangement has left him without immediate family responsibilities but has complicated his personal life.
Notable Quotes:
- Bus Driver: "I still live on the farm she grew up in, and I still milk cows with her dad." [38:28]
- Charlie: "You are the investment. Are you gonna be good taking care of the farm then?" [43:08]
-
Balancing Multiple Jobs: Beyond driving the bus, he also holds a maintenance job at a school, emphasizing his busy schedule and lack of time for new relationships.
Notable Quotes:
- Bus Driver: "I'm the youngest old man you'd ever meet." [46:43]
- Charlie: "You're living the farm. Dude, that's gonna piss your ex-girlfriend off." [43:37]
Insights and Takeaways:
- Job Stress: The bus driver's experiences shed light on the often-overlooked stressors of educational transportation roles.
- Personal Sacrifices: Maintaining professional commitments can lead to unconventional and challenging personal living situations.
- Youth Behavior: The discussion highlights generational differences in values and behaviors, particularly concerning technology use.
6. Voicemail Highlight: John from Seattle (51:11 - 55:31)
Content: John leaves a voicemail praising the hosts for their humorous take on corporate jargon and Midwestern hospitality. He appreciates phrases like "same church, different pew" and commends the podcast for bringing smiles without causing offense.
Notable Quotes:
- John: "Same church, different pew... it's the best phrase I've ever used other than y'all." [51:19]
- Charlie: "Another one you can use if you guys like that is 'It's a horse a piece.'" [52:41]
Insights and Takeaways:
- Listener Engagement: John’s feedback reinforces the podcast's effectiveness in resonating with listeners through relatable humor and cultural references.
- Corporate Humor: The mention of corporate one-liners indicates the podcast's ability to weave everyday workplace language into comedic material.
7. Closing Remarks and Final Banter (55:31 - End)
The episode concludes with Miles and Charlie reflecting humorously on the content discussed, reiterating their appreciation for callers, and emphasizing the importance of Midwestern values and humor. They continue their lighthearted exchanges, maintaining the show's signature comedic flair until the very end.
Notable Quotes:
- Charlie: "We're on their phone. Oh, yeah, that's right." [49:53]
- Miles: "It's gonna consume my whole life." [31:06]
Insights and Takeaways:
- Consistent Tone: The hosts maintain a consistent humorous and engaging tone throughout the episode, ensuring listeners remain entertained.
- Cultural Reflection: The episode reflects on Midwestern culture, highlighting both its strengths and the challenges posed by modern societal changes.
Conclusion
Episode #143 of Bellied Up delves into the often-overlooked lives of school bus drivers, weaving in humorous anecdotes and insightful discussions about professional and personal challenges. Through engaging caller interactions and the hosts' comedic perspectives, the episode offers a blend of laughter and meaningful conversation, staying true to the podcast's unique charm.
Additional Resources:
- Follow Bellied Up: For those interested in joining the conversation or becoming a caller, follow Bellied Up on Instagram @bellieduppod for call-in times and participation details.