FULL SEND PODCAST – NELK Boys Internal | Ep. 171

Date: October 16, 2025
Location: Live from China
Production: Shots Podcast Network
Sponsors: [Ad segments removed from summary]

Episode Overview

In this unique episode of the Full Send Podcast, the NELK Boys broadcast live from China, reflecting on their whirlwind travels across Asia—particularly recapping their just-concluded Japan trip and sharing wild stories of border mishaps, unfiltered cultural observations, and behind-the-scenes Team NELK dynamics. The episode’s central vibe is candid, spontaneous, and bro-heavy: a mix of travel chaos, friendship roast sessions, and unruly “what-if” debates, offering listeners a raw window into the group’s off-camera adventures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Steiny's China Debacle

[02:15 – 16:00]

• Steiny Denied Entry into China: Steiny (Aaron Steinberg) was stopped by Chinese authorities due to issues with both his passports—one had pages ripped from the laundry, and the other was bent.
  • “His passport apparently… he put it in the laundry, three pages got ripped from the back.” – Kyle [01:40]
  • After a confusing ordeal and layover in a remote Chinese city, Steiny was forced to fly back to the US, missing out on the China trip entirely.
• NELK’s Reaction: The crew jokes about the bizarre scenario, with light jabs at Steiny’s travel habits and speculations about passport conspiracies:
  • “I think it’s Mossad confirmed… what else could it be? There’s been mysterious shit happening…” – Kyle [05:15]
  • The group agrees Steiny would have had no issues if he’d traveled with the whole team rather than solo:
    • “If he came with our group of 15, there’s no way they would have just sent him to the airport.” – [06:21]

2. International Trip Planning—And Fails

[16:05 – 28:45]

• Japan Trip Recap & Steiny’s Absence: Steiny skipped Japan, reportedly seen partying instead.
• Trip Chaos & Itinerary Shifts: The NELK crew details how travel plans frequently change last minute, with many trips (Africa, Egypt, Iraq) scrapped over the year due to safety, payment, or logistics.
  • “There’s so many trips that flopped this year.” – [18:49]
  • The group nearly went to Iraq days before the US Embassy evacuation and subsequent regional bombings.
    • “Imagine we were in Iraq at that time… we would’ve had to, like, flee the country or go into hiding…” – [23:00]
  • They reflect on the risks their celebrity brings abroad, especially given their relationship with high-profile figures:
    • “I always underestimate how big we are… if we were in Iraq, we obviously would have been targets because we’re publicly friends with Trump.” – Kyle [24:40]

3. Behind-the-Scenes Teamwork & The Evolution of NELK

[28:45 – 32:50]

• Travel logistics have leveled up: moving 12+ people, multiple vans, trains, planes, while handling content, restaurants, and shoots.
  • “It’s crazy seeing you guys work… the whole team moving like twelve people, three vans… it’s so lubricated.” – [29:46]
• Gabe shines in his operational role, roasts abound.

4. Japan Deep Dive: Culture Shocks & Fun Stories

[32:51 – 59:30]

• Food Hot Takes: Mixed reviews on Japanese sushi—many prefer the less “authentic” rolls back home, but love the skewers, ramen, and general food scene.
  • “I didn’t fuck with the sushi in Japan… it was too authentic.” – [35:01]
• Japanese Women & Social Dynamics:
  • The crew discusses their expectations vs. reality, noting Japanese girls are reserved but open to directness, and the general friendliness and organization of Japanese society.
    • “I like how everybody in Japan is really straightforward… it’s done, it’s not like ‘oh, I dunno.’” – [40:20]
• Culture Shock:
  • Cleanliness, quietness, driving etiquette, and hospitality contrast sharply with the U.S., especially Florida.
  • Fitness and drinking culture both noted as intense.
• Generosity Examples:
  • Gym staff gave huge discounts and free shakes, contrasted with “week passes only” attitude in the U.S.
• Tattoo Ban Shock:
  • Some gyms and public baths denied entry for visible tattoos, linking them to “gangster” Yakuza affiliations.

5. Mafia Encounter in Japan (Yakuza Story)

[59:36 – 01:15:30]

• Meeting the Yakuza:
  • Teasing the upcoming NELK YouTube video—crew was introduced to a Yakuza (Japanese mafia) boss via a hilariously convoluted chain of connections.
  • Mafia “etiquette” included formalized drinking rites:
    • “He’s gonna offer you a drink, and you absolutely cannot refuse… you have to go lower with your cheers cup.” – [01:13:09]
  • Some accidental disrespect:
    • “You almost missed a dab with him three times.” – [01:14:25]
• Expectations vs. Reality:
  • The visit was “scary, intimidating”—like a real-life Vice documentary.
  • Plans to feature this arc heavily in their next video.

6. Upcoming Travel & China Adventure

[01:15:31 – 01:19:22]

• Plan to spend 12 days across multiple Chinese cities, adjusting their usual one-week-per-country tempo given China’s size.
  • “Tomorrow we’re going to Chongqing and then Beijing and then Shanghai and then Hangzhou… So many cities here, bro.” – [01:16:03]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Steiny’s China Ordeal:

  • “His passport apparently… he put it in the laundry. Three pages got ripped from the back.” – Kyle [01:40]
  • “I think it’s Mossad confirmed.” – Kyle [05:15]

• On Traveling as a Group:

  • “It’s crazy seeing you guys work… the whole team moving like twelve people, three vans.” – [29:46]

• On Nearly Visiting Iraq:

  • “Imagine we were in Iraq at that time… we would’ve had to, like, flee the country or go into hiding…” – [23:00]

• On Authentic Japanese Cuisine:

  • “I didn’t fuck with the sushi in Japan… it was too authentic.” – [35:01]

• On Japanese Social Norms:

  • “I like how everybody in Japan is really straightforward… it’s done, it’s not like ‘oh, I dunno.’” – [40:20]
  • “They say if you honk [in Japan], it means, like, you want to fight.” – [43:33]

• On Meeting the Yakuza:

  • “We got a plug that took us to meet a member of the Yakuza...” – [01:02:11]
  • “He’s gonna offer you a drink, and you absolutely cannot refuse…” – [01:13:09]

• On Team NELK's Drinking Habits:

  • “We literally had a call about it… we all agreed to do one send for the whole trip… then every trip we drink every day…” – [01:24:12]
  • “You can never plan anything… I don’t regret one beer in Japan.” – [01:25:40]

Memorable Banter & Lightheaded Debates

• On What Music is “Weird” If a Date Puts it On:

  • Soldier Boy, Future, Russ, French Montana, Jason Derulo – all get roasted for different vibes and levels of “turn-off.”
    • “If you’re a girl bumping Future, that’s too much toxic energy.” – [01:16:59]

• On Famous Couples—Justin Trudeau & Katy Perry Rumors:

  • “Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry… is this a W or L for Trudeau?” – [01:23:10]

• Candid Talk: Kids, Marriage, & Relationships:

  • The group gets uncharacteristically earnest discussing marriage, wanting kids, what finding “the one” feels like, and commitment fears:
    • “Every relationship I’ve had, I’ve learned another thing that I didn’t know before…” – [01:41:40]
    • “My rule … I have to be excited to kiss this person after two years, three years.” – [01:45:13]

• Best Prank of the Trip & Wildest Pranks:

  • Teasers for future video gags, including mafia pranks and the pranking of new members.

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• [02:15] – Steiny gets denied entry to China
• [16:05] – Missed trips: Africa, Egypt, Iraq; recounting wild travel fails
• [23:00] – "Imagine we were in Iraq during the embassy evacuations…"
• [29:46] – Reflections on team growth and travel logistics
• [32:51] – Japan food and culture breakdowns
• [40:20] – Japanese social customs discussed
• [59:36] – Yakuza meeting setup and mafia etiquette stories
• [01:13:09] – Mafia drinking rituals (cheers etiquette)
• [01:16:03] – Chinese itinerary plans revealed
• [01:24:12] – Drinking culture, team rules, and “never drink” pledges broken
• [01:41:40] – Extended chat on relationships, love, red flags, and team dynamics

Tone

The conversation is authentic, fast-paced, and unapologetically bro-ish. Banter is constant, as is casual swearing and inside jokes. Despite the rowdy energy, moments of real insight and introspection shine through, especially as the boys discuss world travel misadventures, relationship woes, and the realities of growing up on the road.

Final Notes

• The NELK Boys promise wild new content from China and a Japan mafia video dropping soon (October 27).
• Tease deeper adventures and even crazier travel stories across Asia on future episodes.