KFC Radio Episode Summary: "We Are a Top 100 Most Influential Podcast"

Release Date: July 29, 2025

KFC Radio, hosted by Kevin Clancy and John Feitelberg from Barstool Sports, delves into the assertion that their show deserves a spot on Time Magazine's prestigious Top 100 Most Influential Podcasts list. This episode offers an engaging exploration of their podcast's impact on the broader podcasting landscape, particularly within the comedy genre.

1. KFC Radio's Claim to the Top 100

Kevin Clancy initiates the conversation by expressing his belief that KFC Radio should be recognized among the top 100 most influential podcasts. He articulates a confidence rooted in the show's early contributions to the podcasting scene.

Kevin Clancy [01:38]: "I've spent the last five days thinking about it. I think if we're having an honest discussion about the top hundred podcasts. Influential, not successful. That probably part of the reason I didn't say is reckoning with that, that we didn't really keep pace, but like 100 influential. I think think KFC radio belongs on."

John Feitelberg supports Kevin's stance, acknowledging the strength of their arguments despite both hosts admitting limited knowledge of the broader podcast history.

John Feitelberg [02:39]: "I feel like you're making some good points."

2. Foundational Influences and Contributions

Kevin highlights several key Barstool podcasts that have significantly influenced the industry:

• Saturdays for the Boys: He credits this podcast with revolutionizing Barstool's approach to merchandising and content creation.

Kevin Clancy [04:24]: "Then that, that I. I don't know that that started things, but like, it certainly was at the front of six or seven years where everyone was trying to turn a mildly interesting quote into a merch line."

• Spitting Chiclets and Answer the Internet: These shows introduced formats like comedic sports talk and engaging listener voicemails, respectively.

Kevin Clancy [06:42]: "Answer the Internet was a half-hour show of the funniest people in the world doing dumb hypotheticals. And again, I'm not saying, like, people saw that and were immediately like, we gotta replicate that. But we did that like six years ago."

3. Impact on the Podcasting Landscape

The hosts discuss their perception of being pioneers in the comedy podcast space, asserting that their early adoption and experimentation with formats set the stage for a subsequent boom in humor-centric podcasts.

Kevin Clancy [05:12]: "I think we were at the front of what then became like a five to seven-year comedy boom in the world."

John concurs, emphasizing the keyword "influential" as distinct from mere success, underscoring the qualitative impact of their work.

John Feitelberg [07:34]: "I think top 100 is, like, top 100. There's so many podcasts. It's definitely top 100."

4. Defense Against Exclusion from the List

Kevin expresses surprise and disappointment upon discovering that KFC Radio was not initially included in the Time list, prompting a discussion on recognition and acknowledgment within the industry.

Kevin Clancy [09:33]: "And I had nothing to do with any of it. That's why I'm confident saying it. This is all Brendan and Kevin Clancy's ideas."

John and Una reinforce the notion that KFC Radio's influence likely surpasses the confines of the Top 100, with John humorously suggesting a Top 25 placement.

John Feitelberg [09:35]: "I think Agricultura is a good point that it's actually probably more than top 100."

5. Broader Influences and Mentions

Beyond KFC Radio, the hosts touch upon the influence of other podcasts and media:

• Call Her Daddy: Mentioned as a turning point illustrating the monetization and mainstream acceptance of podcasts.
• Rogan Podcast: Acknowledged alongside KFC Radio as a significant influence on comedians worldwide.

Kevin Clancy [07:48]: "And like, if you ask the biggest comedians in the world what the most important podcasts to them were, they'll say Rogan and KFC radio."

6. Additional Discussions and Anecdotes

While the primary focus remains on KFC Radio's influence, the episode diverges into lighter, more personal conversations, including:

• South Park's Trump Episode: Kevin shares his experience watching a controversial episode, highlighting its cultural relevance.
• Personal Stories: Anecdotes about social interactions, fear, and humorous takes on everyday situations.

Kevin Clancy [60:57]: "What else do they say about it? Like, other than the Satan, like just."

7. Conclusion and Community Engagement

The hosts wrap up by urging listeners to share their thoughts and engage with them via comments, reinforcing community interaction which is a staple of KFC Radio's format.

Kevin Clancy [14:41]: "Hit the comment section with your thoughts. We'll be responding to them next week."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Influence vs. Success:

  Kevin Clancy [01:38]: "I think think KFC radio belongs on."

• On Pioneering Formats:

  Kevin Clancy [06:42]: "Answer the Internet was a half-hour show of the funniest people in the world doing dumb hypotheticals."

• On Potential Top 50 Placement:

  John Feitelberg [10:25]: "I think it's probably top 25 most important."

• On Community and Feedback:

  Kevin Clancy [14:41]: "Hit the comment section with your thoughts."

Final Thoughts

This episode of KFC Radio serves as both a self-reflective and assertive piece, where Kevin Clancy and John Feitelberg make a compelling case for their podcast's influential status within the industry. Through a blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and strategic arguments, they highlight their early contributions and lasting impact on the podcasting landscape, inviting listeners to reconsider KFC Radio's position among the elite podcasts of all time.