Financial Audit Podcast: "He's Back..." | Financial Audit

Host: Caleb Hammer

Guest: Brent Davey

Release Date: December 1, 2025

Episode Overview

In this highly anticipated follow-up, Caleb Hammer welcomes back the show's most polarizing guest, Brent Davey, for a third main channel appearance. The episode is a mix of financial audit, heated debate, personal reflection, and confrontational banter that swings between razor-sharp wit and genuine concern. Topics range from Brent's road to sobriety, career setbacks, legal trouble, mental health, and financial struggles, with Hammer pushing for accountability and Davey defending his actions—and sometimes deflecting criticism with humor or agitation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brent’s Transformations and Return

• Brent’s Evolution:
  Caleb remarks on Brent’s changes over his three appearances—from “Brent the dude,” to “Brent the cancer patient,” to now, “Brent the politician.” Brent jokes, "I'm running for president of myself. I'm gonna win. I have a feeling." (02:26)
• Life Updates & Setting the Stage:
  Both host and guest acknowledge major changes in their lives and the world since the last episode.

2. Tone, Conflict, and Show Dynamics

• Brent’s Change in Mood:
  Brent appears more upbeat compared to his last (second) appearance, attributing previous negativity to a hit-and-run incident and personal setbacks.
• Repeated Tensions:
  The exchanges are highly adversarial, filled with mutual accusations and personal slights.
  • “You are a little pussy. You are such a pussy.” — Brent (01:19, repeated)
  • “Jerking yourself constantly off about everything you've done, even though you have nothing to show.” — Caleb (01:22)
• Accountability:
  Caleb presses, "I want you to take accountability."
  Brent: "Here we go again." (01:25)

3. The "Threat" Controversy and Mental Health

• Governor Threat & Arrest
  • Brent clarifies a past social media post: “I said I would eat his heart... It was a metaphor, clearly. I said, I hate you. I will eat your heart.” (11:17)
  • Brent details the case being dropped, admitting bad mental state at the time (11:19–11:48).
  • The broader issue of taking threats seriously in a violent, polarized era is discussed.
• Mental Health & Addiction
  • Brent admits lifelong OCD and recent struggles with alcohol, celebrating his recent sobriety after rehab (beginning July).
  • "Everything's going well in my life because I got sober." — Brent (34:33)
  • "Personal finance is very important, but mental and addictions... come number one because if you don’t address that, then there is no financial conversation to be had." — Caleb (36:39)

4. Brent’s Financial Situation

• Housing Instability:
  • Past year included living with a friend for $600 while also working on an Airbnb business and raising money (16:55).
• Income & Debt:
  • Main sources: Uber Eats gig work, freelance writing (Book and Film Globe), but realistic earnings and proof are ambiguous.
  • “I make around $1,000 to $2,000 a month freelance writing.” — Brent (82:23)
  • Multiple debts in collections—including credit cards and personal loans—after giving up payments post-previous episode (71:26).
  • "You started with 91 cents in your checking account." — Caleb (79:02)
• Expenditures:
  • Non-essential spending—e.g., multiple Amazon purchases (bandanas, chess set, fidget spinner) justified as “rehab essentials.”
  • Subscriptions: Spotify, Apple, Netflix despite financial hardship.

5. Resume & Employment Challenges

• Failed Grant Pursuits & Career Instability:
  • Brent discusses unsuccessful grant applications, abandoned creative projects, and ongoing Uber Eats work.
  • Caleb critiques Brent’s 3-page, unfocused resume: “For what you're trying to do... Three pages. One page.” (41:14)
  • Humorous claims (“Zero fatalities as Uber driver”) called out as inappropriate for resumes.
  • Brent’s penchant for name-dropping and embellishing professional relationships repeatedly mocked.
  • “Your resume is a joke. You're acting like a joke. You don't do anything. You're not pursuing anything real.” — Caleb (46:49)
• Job Search & Application Rejection:
  • Despite frequent job applications, Brent admits to not tailoring his resume (“basket of jobs” approach).

6. Confrontation Over Show Dynamics and Legality

• Legal Agreements and Lawsuits:
  • Brent voices concerns about the show's guest contract, threatening legal action; Caleb explains it’s industry-standard.
  • Both repeatedly taunt each other with prospects of lawsuits (“Sue me.” — Caleb; “I’m on it.” — Brent, 01:31–01:33)
• "Paid Victim" Accusation:
  • Brent accuses Caleb of building success on “beating up” paid guests; Caleb counters with proof of his financial success prior to the show and clarifies that guest payments are for travel, not for being berated. (52:24–53:12)

7. Recurring Themes of Self-Sabotage & Disingenuousness

• Caleb’s Frustration:
  • Caleb repeatedly expresses disappointment over Brent’s seemingly performative self-sabotage and lack of seriousness about improving his situation.
  • “You are not a good faith person. You come in and try to smear, to take down the show... You are a disgusting part of our culture.” — Caleb (57:27)
• Brent’s Defensive Deflection:
  • Brent uses humor, sarcasm, and self-deprecation—“Look at all my skills, dude. I got skills.” (45:36)—while resisting actionable advice.

8. Risk, Safety, and Self-Care

• Physical Attacks:
  • Brent recounts multiple incidents of being targeted or attacked while living in high-risk environments, connecting it tenuously to his financial setbacks.
• Safety Suggestions:
  • Caleb urges Brent to consider basic self-protection; Brent admits he’s never taken even minimal precautions like carrying pepper spray.
• Health Problems:
  • Brent details a chronic ankle issue and reveals limitations from prior injuries and health scares.

9. Relationship Status

• Dating Life:
  • Brent is not dating and has not had a boyfriend since 2018. Admits lack of interest or energy for romance due to life struggles and health. (76:47)

10. The Episode’s Emotional Arc

• Mental Health Disclosure & Sobriety
  • Brent’s admission of rehabilitation and two months’ sobriety is celebrated: “I just got my two month chip.” (36:33)
• Despair & Self-Awareness:
  • At key moments, Brent adopts an almost nihilistic posture (“Just a loser, baby. Why don’t you kill me?” — 51:43), but pivots back to banter.
• Caleb’s Closing Concern:
  • Host offers to pay for resume services and expresses meaningful concern for Brent’s future:
    “I’m concerned that you’ll never be able to pay bills and I don’t know if your pressure ulcer turns into spawns off into two... I’m concerned with what life looks like in your 60s and that deeply concerns me.” (94:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brent (On self-improvement):
  “Everything’s going well in my life because I got sober.” (34:33)
• Caleb (On confronting Brent’s approach):
  “Your resume is a joke. You're acting like a joke. You don't do anything. You're not pursuing anything real.” (46:49)
• Brent (Defensive humor):
  “Look at all my skills, dude. I got skills.” (45:36)
• Caleb (On meaning of personal finance):
  “…if you don't address [addiction], then there is no financial conversation to be had.” (36:39)
• Brent (Sarcastic self-deprecation):
  “Just a loser, baby. Why don’t you kill me?” (51:43)
• Caleb (On guest accusations):
  “We do not pay people to come on the show. Don’t be a dumb… You’re being…” (53:03)
• Brent:
  “I want you to take accountability.”
  Caleb: “Here we go again.” (01:25)
• Brent (Admitting error):
  “Yes, it was sloppy, and, no, I’m not proud of it.” (11:22, re: threat post)
• Caleb (Closing sentiment):
  “I want you to take the resume, we’ll pay for someone to sit down with you, …but I am concerned that you’ll never be able to pay bills…” (94:53)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:06 – Brent jokes about running for president of himself, sets the episode’s self-referential tone.
• 07:41–08:43 – Brent describes targeted hit-and-run on his car, the lawsuit, and winning $10,000.
• 11:17–11:48 – Brent clarifies social media post about the governor, unpacks legal/moral ramifications.
• 29:00–35:00 – Dispute over last appearance and the episode payment; Brent’s claims of being put under duress; host and guest trade legal threats.
• 34:33–37:15 – Brent discloses alcoholism, rehab, and celebrates two months’ sobriety.
• 41:14–46:49 – Deep dive into Brent's poorly constructed resume, with comedic roasting.
• 46:49–53:12 – Caleb confronts Brent about lack of initiative, Brent launches attack on show’s premise; passionate back-and-forth.
• 71:26–76:32 – Brent admits to letting debts go to collections after feeling defeated; stories of physical attacks and hardships in Dallas.
• 79:02–84:00 – Money breakdown: Brent’s Uber Eats income, justification for non-essential Amazon purchases during lean months.
• 93:30–95:30 – Caleb’s closing thoughts: concern for Brent’s future, offer to fund resume help.
• 95:40–96:23 – Discussion of bankruptcy as a possible option for Brent.

Tone and Style Notes

• The tone is combative, darkly funny, sometimes raw, often uncomfortable. The episode oscillates between moments of levity (dark jokes, inside banter, poking fun at each other) and genuine unease (legal threats, accusations, mental health confessions, concern about self-harm).
• Caleb is ruthless but occasionally compassionate, especially regarding addiction and mental health. Brent is defensive, sarcastic, self-deprecating, and sometimes evasive.
• Humor is as much weapon as shield throughout; neither party shies from confrontation.

Summary for First-Time Listeners

This episode provides an unvarnished look at the intersection of personal finance, mental health, and accountability, with both host and guest exposing the vulnerabilities and flaws in themselves and each other. It is disjointedly funny, occasionally unsettling, and ultimately a revealing character study of someone struggling to change amid a swirl of personal and societal adversity. The substance abuse recovery, employment difficulties, and patterns of self-sabotage are front and center, and the episode doubles as both a financial audit and a deeply personal intervention.

Listeners are cautioned: This episode features adult language, references to addiction, self-harm, and mental health crises. If you need help, resources are mentioned (e.g., suicide helpline 998 in the US).

End of Summary