KFC Radio — Dante on the Epstein Files & More Conspiracies (October 23, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of KFC Radio, hosts KFC and Feitelberg are joined by recurring guest Dante for a wide-ranging, often hilarious discussion spanning Barstool Sports internal drama, company culture, relationships, existential outlooks, and, as promised, a deep-dive into current conspiracies — including the ever-contentious Epstein Files. The episode blends personal anecdotes with cultural observations, Barstool lore, listener interactions, and trademark roasting, providing listeners with both genuine insight and plenty of laughs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Barstool Drama & Internal Culture

• Pat Bev Controversy ([02:26]–[08:25])

  • KFC addresses the fallout from NBA player Pat Beverley’s deleted Instagram comment about KFC’s personal life, noting his own growth and reduced reactivity to drama.
    • “Something happened in the last like year or so… I really don’t care anymore. I really don’t care.” – KFC [03:43]
  • Feitelberg and KFC dissect the nature of online shots, performative takes, and how Barstool as a culture sometimes unintentionally fuels and spreads drama.
    • “That puts you into a new fight.” – Feitelberg [03:18]
  • They reflect on how Barstool’s drama used to feel essential for business but now, with age and perspective, it just feels tiresome.

• Barstool as a ‘Forever’ Job & Company Evolution ([08:47]–[16:56])

  • Discussion about Large’s comments on the impermanence of working at Barstool — a company once seen as a ‘forever’ job, now feeling more like a stepping stone for some.
  • The hosts share family business parallels, job cycles, and ponder on whether Barstool will define the rest of their careers.

• Changing Dynamics & Generational Shifts ([16:44]–[25:00])

  • Debating if young employees expect long-term roles or if Barstool “lifer” status is fading.
  • Echoing Large, hosts agree embracing adaptability is key: “You gotta dance like no one’s watching… but everyone here dances like someone’s watching — because they are.” – Feitelberg [20:07]

2. Relationships, Marriage & Modern Dating

• Marriage Stats & Societal Shifts ([33:01]–[43:00])

  • Feitelberg shares surprising stats on marriage happiness rising and traditional gender roles shifting — with American husbands doing 65% of what was previously deemed ‘the wife’s job’.
    • “American men have to increase their family life workload… that’s right. We want more credit.” – Feitelberg [36:32]
  • They highlight that expectations for men have increased at home, but perhaps less so for women in earning.
    • “There’s a much heavier expectation on men to now be progressive at home.” – KFC [37:40]

• Dating Apps, Arranged Marriages & Analysis Paralysis ([48:52]–[56:51])

  • Lively discussion on whether dating apps improve relationship outcomes, with Feitelberg contending modern abundance of options undermines long-term happiness.
    • “Arranged marriages know they take work… love marriages, it’s over now, just relax and let it sink in — obviously, that’s not how it works.” – Feitelberg [49:08]
    • Analogy to TV: Too many choices now, but less satisfaction.

• The Value of ‘Peace’ in Relationships ([55:05]–[61:14])

  • Jackie and the hosts discuss the underrated quality of feeling “peace” with a partner, more than excitement or drama.
    • “Peace to me is invaluable. I don’t think I would have said that when I was 25.” – KFC [60:29]

3. Life Philosophy — Indifference, Engagement, and Contentment

• Indifference vs. Engagement ([21:05]–[23:17])

  • They riff on how negative feedback is better than no feedback and indifference is true death in entertainment.
    • “Love, hate — indifference is the real problem.” – Feitelberg [21:05]

• Living For Yourself Amidst Chaos ([43:43]–[44:11])

  • Despite global and company turbulence, the hosts suggest the most you can do is “control what you can control while you’re here.” – KFC [14:13]
  • Assert the futility of obsessing over events too big to impact.

4. Conspiracy Theories, The Epstein Files, and Distrust

• Dante’s Distrust & Distraction Hypotheses ([85:41]–[88:08])

  • Dante reveals his current worldview: everything is a distraction from a world “burning down,” referencing the Epstein Files and other potential government coverups.
    • “You want the Epstein files? …everything. I think the world [is] burning down all around us.” – Dante [86:00]
  • Hosts challenge Dante about research rigor and the echo chambers of internet “evidence.”
    • “I read one article, and it makes me think that you don’t read a lot of articles.” – Feitelberg [122:20]
  • Dante insists he consults “too many viewpoints” rather than too few.

• Conspiracy Culture & The Challenge of Truth ([124:22]–[131:29])

  • Lively debate on the tendency to see “conspiracy” in every political event, from assassinations to the Epstein list.
    • “The fact that all the big political happenings are always conspiratorial… they can’t all be!” – KFC [124:22]
  • They touch on the viral “Swastika clock” rumor and similar phenomena, questioning what’s real vs. fabricated on the internet.
    • “Everything, if you give it one Google, is not real…” – Feitelberg [126:44]

• Epstein Files Debate ([127:12]–[133:05])

  • Feitelberg pushes back on why supposed whistleblower politicians don’t release the full “Epstein list” after promising it; Dante argues the government would never let the full truth out.
    • “The minute the average person realizes that these governments allowed children to be abused… it all burns down.” – Dante [129:06]
    • “You’re ignoring my question… there’s no reason for them to not put it out — unless it doesn’t exist.” – Feitelberg [129:13]

5. Barstool Originals, Risks, and Success Metrics

• Creative Risks: La Mascots & Show Development ([134:13]–[152:13])

  • Discussion around the reaction to new, ambitious Barstool projects — especially “Le Mascots.”
    • Frustration with the narrative that if a project isn’t an immediate hit, it’s labeled a “failure.”
    • “We made money off it — I would have liked that to have been made clear.” – Feitelberg [137:00]
    • “The biggest thing we’ve never been good at is thinking long-term — if it’s not smash out the gates, it’s a failure.” – Dante [138:58]
  • The danger of “clips” culture — many judge multi-hour podcasts based solely on isolated clips.

• The Importance of Making Things, Even If They Flop ([145:21]–[147:21])

  • Feitelberg, quoting Picasso, says creative people should be prolific and fearless about trying new things.
    • “If you’re not chucking up shots, you’re never going to score.” – Dante [146:29]
    • “None of us really know what Picasso did — but we know who he is because he hammered. He was just prolific…” – Feitelberg [147:04]
  • They express regret that beginners may be discouraged by negative reception of new ventures.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You always say this – put your name on it. Say, ‘I don’t like...’ It’s when everyone says they speak as if it just is—‘it’s right, it’s wrong, they’re good, we’re bad’…” – KFC [22:32]
• “My opinion is, I don’t know what the f--- I’m talking about.” – Feitelberg [48:53]
• “If you want a partner to contribute, you have to let them do it their way. You can’t be like ‘I need your help, but only if you do it my way.’” – KFC [46:05]
• “The most tragic thing about peace is you don’t value it until you don’t have it.” – KFC [60:03]
• “You gotta go outside. You can only learn that from being there.” – Feitelberg [27:09]
• “I don’t make choices – like you said, I got picked up by the Crane Claw and it just dropped me...’you’re a podcaster now…’” – Feitelberg [30:00]
• “If you’re not one of those [lucky creators], it’s either you’ve caught the wave or you’re a new person holding on for dear life. And here, people remember your misses not your makes…” – KFC [147:21]
• “If comparison is the thief of joy, whoever coined that is the realest ever.” – KFC [112:52]

Structural & Generational Perspectives

• The hosts frequently reflect on how Barstool’s once ‘forever job’ ethos is succumbing to more traditional career cycles as the company ages.
• They muse on how technology — social media, group chats, the flood of content and disinformation — has amplified feelings of instability, paranoia, and sometimes, liberation.
• The value of adaptability and being comfortable with uncertainty is a recurring theme.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:26] Pat Bev drama and impact on KFC
• [08:47] Barstool’s “forever” culture & Large’s comments
• [20:07] Discussion of “dancing like no one’s watching” — creative risk at Barstool
• [33:01] Marriage statistics, shifting gender roles
• [48:52] Dating apps, arranged marriages, analysis paralysis
• [55:05] The importance of peace in relationships
• [85:41] Dante’s “distraction” and conspiracy worldview
• [127:12] The Epstein Files deep-dive & government distrust
• [134:13] “Le Mascots”, risk/reward for Barstool projects
• [145:21] Picasso analogy: why making things matters even if they fail

Tone & Language

As ever, this episode is a swirling blend of Barstool’s signature irreverence, blunt honesty, and brotherly ribbing. The trio riff comfortably, mixing humor with earnestness — rarely shying away from self-deprecation or difficult questions. Their language switches easily from locker-room jokes to surprising personal vulnerability.

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a rich snapshot of where Barstool — and its foundational personalities — stand in 2025: older, a little wiser, still jaded but openly reflective, concerned with both company direction and the broad existential questions of modern adulthood. The blend of pop-culture banter, inside-baseball company talk, and meditations on meaning gives diehard Stoolies and casual listeners alike plenty to chew on — or to furiously debate in the comments.