Podcast Summary: Bubba On the Lake – Episode 51
Guest: Kirsten McCorkle
Segment: Hunter's March Madness Challenge Update
Date: March 25, 2026
Host: Bill “Bubba” Bussey
Recurring Voices: Betty Lou Bussey, Hunter Bus
Episode Overview
This episode of “Bubba on the Lake” is a light-hearted, nostalgia-filled conversation with Bubba’s longtime friend—and former tennis partner—Kirsten McCorkle, joined occasionally by Bubba’s wife, Betty Lou. The trio reminisces about their tennis glory days, travel misadventures, and parenting challenges, all with the laid-back, Southern wit that defines the show. The second half features Hunter Bus updating listeners on the ongoing March Madness bracket challenge.
Key Discussion Points & Segments
1. Welcoming Kirsten: Catching Up After Years Apart
Timestamps: 08:53 – 11:01
- Reconnection: Bubba introduces Kirsten, joking about not having seen her “in the flesh” for nearly 20 years.
- Old Ties: The group reminisces about when their kids were small and how children change social dynamics.
- Tennis Partners: Bubba recalls playing and winning with Kirsten as mixed doubles partners, and the comical interplay of personalities on and off the court.
“...when the kids come along, it’s hard to maintain friendships and—”
—Bubba (09:17)
“I just want to eat breakfast.”
—Kirsten (10:02) on Bubba’s enthusiasm for tennis strategy at dawn
2. Tennis Stories: Victories, Rivalries & Laughter
Timestamps: 11:01 – 24:25
- Competitive Couples: Anecdotes of facing off as mixed doubles teams, often with spouses as rivals, resulting in humorous (and sometimes tense) moments.
- Strategy Sessions: Kirsten pokes fun at Bubba’s over-planning and her own ADD during pre-game breakfasts.
- Travel Fiascos: Memorable tournaments, like getting a flat in a dodgy neighborhood (with a gun for safety), choosing between dubious dining options, and discovering Panera Bread for the first time (“He was mad upon entry... it was so funny and you were so...” —Kirsten, 22:14).
- Unique Tournament Experiences: Dividing up teams to ensure victory and the drama of meeting in the finals, as well as local hotel and restaurant rituals.
3. Life Updates: Parenting, Stress, and Some Humor
Timestamps: 26:32 – 38:38
- Lake Life: Kirsten and her family split time between the lake and “real life,” leading to jokes about never seeing each other at the cabin.
- Parenting Highs and Lows: Her oldest son is deep into competitive bass fishing—a sport she teases about for its boat and gas costs but also praises for keeping kids out of trouble early mornings.
- Special Needs: Kirsten discusses her younger son Quinn, who has special needs, adding that their “empty nest” will be different and sharing candidly about the challenges of “homescaling” (her take on homeschooling).
- Daily Joys: Stories of jumping on the trampoline in the rain, managing family chaos, and aspirations to “get back to fun” this summer.
4. Massage Mishaps and Lake Life Shenanigans
Timestamps: 27:25 – 33:41
- On-the-Road Remedies: Hilarious stories about traveling with a massage therapist to tournaments and nearly getting into trouble for the optics of exiting a room together.
- Discount Massages: Funny and occasionally sketchy discount massage adventures, complete with group-on regrets (“That was a beat, but apparently, I needed it.” —Kirsten, 32:34).
- Gendered Massage Preferences: Lots of laughs around awkward appointments, “aromatherapy mishaps,” and the universal struggle to relax.
5. Sports Talk: Beyond Tennis
Timestamps: 38:38 – 41:14
- Pickleball Trend: Bubba, Betty, and Kirsten discuss the migration from tennis to pickleball, the “Laid Back Ladies” group, and the shifting athletic priorities of their stage of life.
- Changing Bodies and Expectations: With self-deprecating humor, Kirsten laments being “in the worst shape of my life,” and Betty recounts forgetting entirely how to play tennis after years away.
6. March Madness Bracket Update with Hunter Bus
Timestamps: 63:26 – 70:28
- Bracket Standings: Hunter highlights current leaders (TJ Morgan, others), the fate of participants’ brackets so far, and near-misses with top teams like Gonzaga.
- Game Recaps: Recaps of stunning upsets and memorable games—Santa Clara vs. Kentucky, Iowa vs. Florida, and “corn off” battles between Nebraska and Iowa.
- Tournament Insights: Bubba and Hunter banter about blue blood teams, college transfer stars, and humorous Big Bang Theory references.
- Hunter’s Other Ventures: He plugs his other sports shows and the upcoming football season’s “Tailgate Tailgate.”
“My bracket blew up about an hour after we started when North Carolina lost. Didn't take long.”
—Bubba (64:58)
“The team that's my Cinderella right now is Texas. They were in the First Four game and are now in the Sweet Sixteen.”
—Hunter (66:53)
7. Life Coaches, Sister Wives, and Manifesting
Timestamps: 47:02 – 55:27
- Skeptical on Life Coaches: Bubba asks Kirsten’s opinion on the life coach phenomenon. Everyone shares wry skepticism about the qualifications—and sanity—of “coaches.”
- Sister Wife Jokes: A tongue-in-cheek riff on the logistical (and agricultural) benefits of plural marriage.
- Manifesting Millionaires: Kirsten tells of a reality TV “manifesting coach” making millions charging people to write down their goals, admitting it “sounds like the biggest racket I have ever heard.”
- Cultural Commentary: Jokes about reality TV, the Naked and Afraid show, and the absurdities of modern self-help.
8. Wrapping Up: Last Laughs and Summer Promises
Timestamps: 56:11 – 61:08
- Pledges to Reconnect: Bubba and Kirsten vow to spend more time together at the lake, maybe even pick up a new sport.
- Reliving Pregnancy Tournaments: Fond (and funny) memories of playing tennis while pregnant, snacking on peanut M&Ms.
- Skydiving Memories: Kirsten teases Ryan’s habit of tandem-jumping with “sorority girls,” humorously justifying it as funding her tennis travels.
9. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 10:02 | Kirsten | "I just want to eat breakfast." (on Bubba’s breakfast strategy talks) | | 22:14 | Kirsten | "He was mad upon entry because you wanted...well, you had already—there’s already, in your mind—you were stating it wasn’t Jack’s. What was the approved fast food restaurant?"| | 38:52 | Kirsten | "I need to do something. Yeah. You’d get on a casual level…What is that group you play with? Laid Back Ladies on Monday?"| | 47:56 | Bubba | "Now, look, if you get too rowdy, I’ll have to beep you." (on life coach talk) | | 53:18 | Kirsten | "She’s one of the Housewives, and she is a manifestor. And I thought, if this isn’t the biggest bunch of bull...the biggest racket I have ever heard!"| | 64:58 | Bubba | "Well, I’m in no contention whatsoever. I’d like to be in the top hundred right now, currently sitting about 435 out of 757. Not too good for the old Bus." |
10. Final Segment: The Pickleball Life
- Bubba and Betty chat candidly about embracing the “Laid Back Ladies” pickleball group as part of his knee rehab, humorously noting the shift in athletic expectations with age.
- Betty lists her daily chores—including pickleball, cleaning, taking care of the dogs—in a tongue-in-cheek celebration of “country girl” multitasking.
- Bubba wraps up with gratitude for listeners and sponsors, encouraging everyone to help their friends subscribe to the podcast.
Highlights & Takeaways
- Signature Tone: The episode is peppered with warm-hearted teasing, quick wit, and relatable stories about family chaos, aging, and the oddities of group sports.
- Community Spirit: Bubba’s podcast feels like a gathering of old friends, welcoming listeners into the quirks of their unique social circle.
- Sports as Social Glue: Whether tennis, pickleball, or fishing, shared activities anchor the memories and connections among the group.
- Southern Humor: Jokes about “manifesting,” sister wives, and the rules of mixed doubles crackle with laid-back, self-deprecating charm.
- March Madness Competitiveness: Even as NCAA brackets are busted, camaraderie and competitive ribbing keep the fun alive.
Segment Timestamps (Quick Reference)
- Intro & Weather Chat: 01:15 – 07:10
- Reunion & Tennis Tales: 08:53 – 24:25
- Lake Life, Parenting, Massage Stories: 26:32 – 38:38
- Pickleball and Changing Sports: 38:38 – 41:14
- Fishing & Youth Sports: 43:27 – 47:02
- Life Coaches, Sister Wives Bit: 47:02 – 55:27
- Final Reflections, Skydiving Story: 56:11 – 61:08
- March Madness Update w/ Hunter Bus: 63:26 – 70:28
- Betty Lou Pickleball Wrap-up: 73:04 – 77:10
For More
- Website & Contact: bubbaonthelake.com
- Podcast Contest Details: $500 for March Madness Bracket Winner, immortalization in Bubba's Hall of Fame