Laugh with Me – Episode 98: "Eric Calls in from Vacation"

Host: Jeremy Odem
Guest (via call-in): Eric Larson
Date: July 28, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, host and comedian Jeremy Odem checks in with regular contributor Eric Larson, who calls in from his ongoing cross-country vacation. As Jeremy grinds toward their milestone 100th episode, Eric shares humorous updates from North Dakota and Georgia, exploring the quirks of travel, Airbnb etiquette, and the strange logic of group shots at the bar. The conversation develops into a comedic back-and-forth as Jeremy weighs in on Eric's travel conundrums and outlandish business ideas, all in the show’s signature playful tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Countdown to Episode 100 & Vacation Contrasts

• Jeremy kicks off the episode highlighting the nearness to their 100th episode and jokes about how, unlike Eric, he’s hard at work without vacation.
  • “No vacation for me. Can't be said the same for our guy, Eric. He's still on vacation.” (03:03)
• He pokes fun at Eric’s vacation stories, underscoring his own dedication to the podcast.

2. Eric’s North Dakota Travelog: History, Lakes, and Airbnb Dilemmas

Eric’s Call-in Update #1 (03:55–10:39)

• Location: Lake Audubon, North Dakota; historical musings on Fort Mandan and Lake Sakakawea.
  • “Lake Sakakawea is the largest man made lake in North America, as you know...” (04:18)
  • “If you're using this podcast as a, you know, travel planner... that fort is underwater. This is a replica fort. It's located about three and a half miles from the actual location. So just fair warning, no lawsuits.” (05:08)
• Airbnb Etiquette & Room Selection:
  • Eric humorously raises the issue of how families divvy up rooms with unequal perks at Airbnbs.
    • “How do you decide precedence when not all the options are equal?... I booked the Airbnb. I get first pick of the rooms. But in observing my parents and my aunt and uncle... that is not how Airbnb is solved at all.” (06:57)
  • He playfully compares choosing rooms to “shotgun” rules and wonders about fair ways—rock-paper-scissors, Uno—before segueing into historic bunking arrangements.
    • “It seems like, you know, it's almost like one of those, don't say it out loud that you want it.” (07:34)

Notable Quote

“Could you imagine going to a place like, you're tired... and all of a sudden they're just saying, like, oh, well, these two dudes are gonna be sharing your room with you that you've never met. I mean, how do you negotiate that without bloodshed?” – Eric (09:22)

3. Jeremy Responds: “Not That Bad!”

• Jeremy jokes about how he’s sweating at 2:30am while Eric’s biggest problem is picking a cool room by the lake.
  • “He's having a great time. I was driving, air conditioning, get to work, pick up some trash, change some trash cans, drenched in sweat.” (10:39)
• On Airbnb rules:
  • “If you book the room and you paid for it, you have the right to decide if you want the bigger room or not...You could obviously then just make this just quick side decision, which is no, we're gonna give it to the eldest group of the bunch.” (11:20)

4. Eric’s “Shot Ski” Adventure & Social Drinking Logic

Travelog #2 (17:05–19:23)

• Introduction to the Shot Ski:
  • “It’s a little ski... instead of being used for skiing, this ski is used for shots. And so it has four shot glasses mounted along it, and it allows four people to take a shot at the same exact time.” (17:14)
  • Hilariously, a night with the shot ski delays Eric’s travel update by three days.
• Bar Drinking Contradictions:
  • “If you're an individual and you're at a bar... and you line up a shot just for yourself, you're 100% an alcoholic... But if you line up a shotgun with four shots... then you're just a fun person.” (18:05)

Memorable Exchange

“If you line up a shot just for yourself, you're 100% an alcoholic... But if you line up a shotgun with four shots... then you're just a fun person.” – Eric (18:08)

Jeremy: “I disagree.” (18:27)

5. Atlanta Observations: Strip Clubs, Wings, and Business Ideas

• Transition to Atlanta and Culture Shock:
  • Eric notes, “Atlanta's home to a lot of gentlemen's clubs that are... famous...One of them was used during the... NBA COVID year... when confronted, [the player] said that he didn't go to see the ladies, [but] to go get wings. The wings were what drove him to break the COVID bubble.” (19:24)
• “Stripper Car Wash” Proposal:
  • Eric quips, “Why don't you open a stripper car wash where, I mean, put these girls to work during the day, get them cleaning up cars?... That's double income. I can't believe nobody's ever thought about that.” (20:36)

Jeremy’s Take on Side Hustles and Themed Car Washes

• “I'm not against the stripper car wash... What I'm questioning is... why do the strippers need to work more, why is that the solution?... There’s labor laws, Eric. There’s labor laws.” (21:22)
• Jeremy also suggests other cool car wash themes: “Where's the rock and roll car wash? You go in... and there's flashing lights and loud music. That'd be sweet.” (21:30)

6. Jeremy Wraps Up: More to Come and a Final Riff

• Jeremy teases more Eric travel updates and the imminent return of show favorite “Betty Vegas.”
  • “But it sounds like [Eric's] having a great time. His mind is not with it, guys. At this point, he's asking strippers to work around the clock in various different businesses. And anybody who's ordering shots and alcoholic.” (22:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Airbnb Room Selection

• “If you book the room and you paid for it, you have the right to decide if you want the bigger room or not.” – Jeremy (11:20)

On Group Shots

• “If you line up a shot just for yourself, you're 100% an alcoholic... But if you line up a shotgun with four shots... then you're just a fun person.” – Eric (18:08)
• “I disagree.” – Jeremy (18:27)

On Side Hustles

• “Why don't you open a stripper car wash... That's double income.” – Eric (20:36)
• “There’s labor laws, Eric. There’s labor laws.” – Jeremy (21:22)

Timestamped Segment Map

• [03:55] – Eric’s call-in from Lake Audubon, ND: history, lakes, and room selection hijinks
• [06:57] – Airbnb etiquette and family power dynamics
• [09:22] – Historic comparisons and the perils of shared rooms
• [10:39] – Jeremy’s response: “Not that bad!”
• [17:05] – Eric’s shot ski tale and Atlanta arrival
• [18:08] – The logic of shots: “alcoholic” vs. “fun person”
• [19:24] – Atlanta strip clubs, Magic City wings
• [20:36] – “Stripper car wash” and expanding business ideas
• [21:22] – Jeremy on work-life balance and themed car washes

Overall Tone and Takeaways

Tone: Playful, dryly comedic, friendly (with Jeremy’s signature mix of gentle mockery and observational wit).
Episode Highlights:

• The contrast between working hard and leisure, as filtered through friendship and teasing
• The relatable, sometimes absurd social negotiations of group travel and shared spaces
• A comedic critique of American drinking culture and side hustle brainstorms
• Both Jeremy and Eric’s ability to find punchlines in the mundane, the historical, and the outlandish

Listeners will walk away entertained by Eric’s vacation misadventures and Jeremy’s sardonic takes—plus a few genuine travel and etiquette tips, all with an undercurrent of “laughing with, not at.”