Duck Call Room Podcast: "Godwin New Grandbabies Are in the NICU!"

Date: January 1, 2026
Hosts: Si Robertson, Justin Martin, John-David Owen, John Godwin, Jay Stone, Phillip McMillan, Jacob Mayo

Episode Overview

This heartfelt and often hilarious episode centers around John Godwin’s new twin grandbabies, who have arrived early and are staying in the NICU. The crew reflects on family, parenthood, finding motivation in life’s toughest moments, and shares plenty of hunting camp humor, food talk, and signature redneck wisdom. The episode maintains the laid-back, witty, and genuine spirit fans expect from the Duck Commander crew, offering relatable stories and encouragement for anyone going through a tough season, especially those with loved ones in the hospital.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Motivation and Perspective on Life

• Opening Theme: The crew discusses what motivates them to get up every morning and face the world, weaving in jokes and biblical references. Si frames life’s hardships with a classic Duck Call Room blend of honesty and hope.
  • Si (00:44): "What is your motivation? What standard do you use and try to achieve?"
  • They joke about calling the biblical "James" the "book of Jimmy."
    • John-David (01:34): "Or as rednecks call it, the book of Jimmy."
• Si's perspective: Despite life's difficulties, focus on positivity and faith.
  • (02:30) "You can go positive or you can go negative... Most people... are hung up in the negative."
  • (02:59) "I watch Star Wars too. I ain't going to the dark side!"
• Meaningful Reflection: Trials are what shape character.
  • (04:10) “The trials and tribulations you go through is what makes you... the person you are afterwards.”

2. Godwin’s Grandbabies: The NICU Experience

• Godwin shares the unexpected and emotional journey of his daughter Johanna giving birth to twin girls, Cassandra and Isabella, who arrived early and had to stay in the NICU.
• Real-time Storytelling: The family’s rush to the hospital (with a laundry basket instead of a suitcase).
  • Godwin (07:42): "You just get a clothes basket... it's way easier than a suitcase."
  • Jay (08:26): "I started using a Yeti cooler as dry storage for all my big stuff."
• Hospital Details & Challenges:
  • Blood pressure scare led to an early arrival (06:21).
  • Tests for preeclampsia.
  • Nurses and doctors at NICU praised for their compassion (11:02):
    "That place is awesome... the nurses got compassion for you. The doctors, they act like they don't mind doing what they're doing."
  • Mother unable to immediately hold babies due to recovery (11:11).
  • Family sharing updates and taking photos to mom.
• NICU Milestones:
  • Babies had to learn to breathe while feeding and regulate their temperature (13:00-13:40).
  • Awaiting car seat test and completion of infant CPR class before heading home (14:39).
  • Martin (13:36): “I love Godwin's medical terminology. We went from live scope to cocoon!”
• Naming Traditions: Grandkids will call Godwin “Duck” and Paula “Paco” (16:44).
• Celebratory Moment: First pictures and handmade hats for the girls (16:48).
  • “There they are right there. Ladies, that will say many a prayer to the Almighty for you.” (16:39)

3. Adjusting to New Family Life

• Godwin's preparation to take his granddaughters fishing as soon as possible:
  (21:01) “I got to find them some... design some little rod and reels. Get some infant life vests. I told Johanna I got some infant ones you can have.”
• Relatable talk on car seats, diapers, and sleepless nights:
  • Diaper Changing Stats:
    Godwin (25:16): “I changed 960 diapers. 959 Johanna’s, and I changed Gus when we was doing Jeff and Jessica's show.”
  • Classic Dad Tricks:
    Si (25:59): “The mama's got supersonic ears... you got to be quick.”

4. Finding Humor and Camaraderie in Tough Times

• Hunting and Outdoor Fun:
  • Plans for taking the twins on fishing trips and into deer stands (21:32-21:41).
• Redneck Packing Innovations:
  • Laundry baskets and Yeti coolers as luggage (07:42, 08:26).
• Paula’s New Product Idea:
  • “Extreme Sports Underwear” for women hunters (19:25), leading to a round of jokes about camo diapers and market strategies.
• Diaper and Kid Stories:
  • Comparisons of baby poop, formula vs. breastmilk, and dad’s inability to change diapers without gagging (28:20-29:01).

5. Broader Reflections and Encouragement for Parents

• Acknowledging NICU Journeys:
  • Johnny D (51:00): “It is weird on this podcast how Si’s got a NICU story, I’ve got a NICU story, Martin’s got a NICU story, and now Godwin has joined us. For parents that have never been there, you’re blessed. For parents that have, you know it’s a weird spot and you don’t know what to do.”
• Spiritual Anchor:
  • Johnny D quotes 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (51:22):

    “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed... you might be pressed on every side, but you're not going to be crushed because Jesus Christ wins in the end.”

• Notable Quotes about Motherhood:
  • Si (33:22): “For all the women that have been blessed with having a child... you are loved and appreciated by the husband and your kids. We don’t say it enough, that’s for darn sure.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Si on Perspective:
  “You can go positive or you can go negative... I watch Star Wars too. I ain't going to the dark side!” (02:30–02:59)

• Godwin’s Redneck Packing Tip:
  “If you just get a clothes basket, it's way easier than a suitcase. You just throw it all in there and then let's go.” (07:42)

• NICU Gratefulness:
  “That place is awesome... the nurses got compassion for you. The doctors, they act like they don't mind doing what they're doing.” (11:02)

• Parent Tricks:
  “The mama's got supersonic ears... you got to be quick.” (25:59)

• Si on Childbirth:
  “If it’d been left up to the man to continue, the species would have been dead. We’d have been extinct like the dodo bird.” (34:26)

• Johnny D’s Encouragement:
  “You might be pressed on every side, but you're not going to be crushed because Jesus Christ wins in the end.” (51:24)

• Godwin’s Signature Humor:
  “Yeah, I've been reading a book on gravity. Can't put it down… I was going to tell you one about chemistry, but I knew I wouldn't get no reaction.” (47:09, 47:32)

Lighter, Signature Duck Call Room Banter

• Food and Cooking Tangents:
  Playful debate over the best hamburger buns, chili thickness, and bacon-and-peanut-butter sandwiches (43:09–45:52).
• Redneck Innovation:
  Paula’s “extreme sports underwear” for hunting women sparks a brainstorm about camo adult diapers as the next big outdoor trend (19:25–20:34).
• Classic One-Liners:
  Godwin’s running joke—using a laundry basket as luggage—resurfaces throughout the episode.

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Motivation & Life Perspective: 00:44–04:46
• Godwin’s Babies in the NICU — The Full Story: 05:19–16:28
• Family Names and New Traditions: 16:35–17:10
• Redneck Grandparenting Plans: 21:01–22:17
• NICU & Baby Humor (Diapers, Car Seats): 24:05–29:01
• Honoring Mothers & Childbirth: 33:22–34:09
• Comic Relief & Food Talk: 43:09–47:07
• NICU Stories, Spiritual Reflection & Closing Encouragement: 51:00–52:28

Conclusion

In classic Duck Call Room style, the guys manage to weave humor, heart, and faith through John Godwin’s personal journey as a new granddad to twins in the NICU. Listeners walk away encouraged to find hope and motivation in the hard seasons, reminded that trials shape who we are, and entertained by redneck ingenuity and family tales. The episode closes with a scriptural reminder: no matter how tough the trial, “we are hard pressed but not crushed, because Jesus Christ wins in the end.” (51:24)

If you’re going through a NICU journey, medical crisis, or any tough time, you’ll find heartfelt laughs, honest encouragement, and a reminder you’re not alone—all with a side of Southern wit and wisdom.