Garage Logic – December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This New Year’s Eve episode of Garage Logic sees Tom Hauser reprising his role as "Deputy Mayor" alongside host Joe Soucheray (“The Mayor”), John Hight, Johnny Hight, and Chris Reivers. On the last day of 2025, the crew blends classic GL banter, storytelling, biting commentary about Minnesota's political scene, and the state’s notable fraud controversies. The show weaves together personal anecdotes, pointed discussion of media responsibility, reflections on social media's impact, and lighthearted humor—keeping with the podcast’s trademark “common sense” tone.

Main Themes & Key Discussion Points

1. New Year’s Eve Reflections and Hauser’s Near-Death Bag Boy Story

• Opening Banter: The hosts riff on the year’s close, sharing personal high notes and some ribbing about caffeine and Mountain Dew.
• Tom Hauser’s Story: Hauser brings classic GL storytelling, recounting a harrowing New Year’s Eve as a 16-year-old delivery van driver for Byerly’s in 1977.
• Takeaways: Surviving a van spinout in bad weather, the preservation of wedding meals, and a humorous look at the changing roles in grocery stores.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom Hauser (03:12): “I think I’m going to take the mantra of the city of St. Paul with my driveway going forward. BLEEP it. That stuff will melt.”
• Tom Hauser (07:16–07:38): “I’m swirling around doing these 360s...I finally just had no...I thought this was it. I thought 16 is as far as I’m gonna go. I just closed my eyes, held onto the wheel, and then the next thing you know is...I opened my eyes and I’m in the median facing the other way. Cars zipping by.”

Timestamps:

• Hauser’s near-death bag boy delivery story: [03:18] – [13:06]

2. Minnesota Childcare Fraud and Media Accountability

• The Topic: Hauser’s presence reignites debate over Minnesota’s years-running childcare fraud scandals and viral “fraud videos.”
• Media Critique: The team discusses public frustrations with media coverage vs. social media virality, clarifying what responsible journalism entails and dissecting how misinformation snowballs online.
• Political Frustration: Soucheray and listeners’ emails vent about the state government’s handling of fraud and recent deficits. Hauser clarifies the complexities of legally substantiating fraud and covering stories credibly.
• Systemic Problems: Discussion expands to how citizens consume news (“political silos”), how viral clickbait distorts public perception, and the real limitations of journalists.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom Hauser (22:36): “A lot of that is just up to the news consumer. Everybody chooses their own political media silo...They don’t get—you're not gonna get both sides. We still present both sides, or three sides, if there are three sides. And these podcasters don’t have to do that.”
• Tom Hauser (25:45): “People think the media has way more power than we actually do. People write to me all the time: ‘Why are you not demanding that the governor resign?’ Well, that’s not what journalists do.”
• Joe Soucheray (29:12): “But it is factual that the state went from an $18 billion surplus to a $6.5 billion deficit?”
• Tom Hauser (29:54): “And it happens day after day after day from people who just don’t take the time to read. They’ve tuned out the dreaded mainstream media because they want to stay in their political silo and that’s all they want to hear.”

Timestamps:

• Defining media’s role and viewer frustration: [17:16] – [32:02]

3. News Highlights and Social Media Absurdities

A. Childcare Funding Crisis:

• State and federal investigation escalates; funding freeze for Minnesota expands nationally, affecting tens of thousands of families.
• Recent prosecution in the Feeding Our Future fraud case. ([35:44]–[39:59])

B. Social Media & Crime:

• Discussion of an 18-year-old charged for assaulting a homeless woman at Mall of America “for a TikTok video.” ([38:59]–[40:36])
• Commentary on the rise and consequences of social media-driven stunts:
  • “I don’t think we’re dealing with another...win for social media.” – Tom Hauser ([40:39])

C. Lighthearted News & Banter:

• Absurd news: naked masked meat market robber in Florida ([50:16]), Detroit man’s accidental self-shooting ([52:11]), and reflection on odd TV/radio station holiday broadcasting practices ([58:06]).
• Nostalgic Minnesota and media moments—restaurant jingles, TV auditions, legendary newsroom outtakes.

4. Stepping Strong & Marathon Fundraising

• Hauser’s Personal Note: Tom is preparing to run his 31st Boston Marathon on his 65th birthday, raising money for the Stepping Strong Foundation, which supports trauma and limb-saving education in honor of Boston Marathon bombing survivors ([66:17]–[68:01]).
• Link to Donate: Will be provided via GL’s web page and Tom’s social media.

Notable Quote:

• Tom Hauser (67:59): “They have raised more than $17 million to teach first responders the best practices for saving limbs...It’s an honor to do that.”

5. Community Call-Out: Missing Local Child

• Awareness Raised: The show highlights the ongoing case of missing 12-year-old Kimora Jones of St. Paul, urging listeners to stay alert and help as possible. ([69:22])

Memorable Moments & Humor

• GL’s Trademark Riffs: Ribbing about driveway snow removal, “Mountain Dew drinking bleep hole,” and “chicken cacciatore going everywhere” during Tom’s van story.
• Running Jokes: Rookie’s propensity for paperwork snafus, overdraft champion awards for bank endorsers, old car buying stories, and playful tangents about restaurant jingles.
• Media Self-Effacement: The crew openly mocks their own industry, live radio/tv mishaps, and the changing face of media.

Key Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------| | 03:18 | Hauser’s Byerly’s van story | | 17:16 | Media coverage, fraud cases, viral videos | | 35:44 | News headlines: childcare fraud & prosecution| | 38:59 | Social media-driven assault at MOA | | 50:16 | Florida “naked meat robber” | | 52:11 | Detroit accidental shooter | | 66:17 | Stepping Strong marathon fundraising | | 69:22 | Missing child alert: Kimora Jones |

Representative Notable Quotes

• “Everybody chooses their own political media silo... We still present both sides, or three sides, if there are three sides. And these YouTube, these podcasters don’t have to do that.” — Tom Hauser [22:36]
• “But it is factual that the state went from an $18 billion surplus to a $6.5 billion deficit?” — Joe Soucheray [29:12]
• “It’s an honor to do that. But that is what Stepping Strong’s all about.” — Tom Hauser [68:28]

Conclusion

This New Year’s Eve Garage Logic keeps to its roots: common sense, heartfelt storytelling, and sharp takes on Minnesota’s news and politics. With Hauser adding journalistic gravitas and personal humor, the crew unpacks the year’s big stories, the frustration and limits of modern journalism, and the quirks of Midwest life. The episode closes with community concern for a missing child and Hauser’s upcoming marathon run—a fitting blend of vigilance, reflection, and the glue of small-town spirit.

Links Mentioned

• Stepping Strong Foundation: [Link forthcoming on GL’s website & Tom Hauser’s socials]
• Missing Child Info — Kimora Jones: Search local St. Paul news.