Laugh with Me – REWIND: Friday Happy Hour #6

Host: Jeremy Odom
Guest: Eric
Date: January 17, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This "REWIND" episode of Friday Happy Hour is a celebration of weekend vibes and catch-up convos between Jeremy Odom and longtime friend Eric. With a mix of banter, irreverent takes, Midwest nostalgia, and reflections on routines, beverages, and blackjack strategy, the episode keeps the laughs flowing as Jeremy and Eric riff on what makes them genuinely chuckle. The show offers both a window into their friendship and a slice of laid-back, end-of-week camaraderie.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Weekend Kickoff & Show Introduction

(03:03 – 04:41)

• Jeremy welcomes listeners to the inaugural Friday Happy Hour episode since joining iHeart, encouraging everyone to relax and crack open a beer.
• Reflects on the universal "Sunday scaries" that creep in, making the most of the brief weekend freedom.
• Sets a casual, inviting tone for new listeners.

Music Habits, Playlists & “Emo Girl”

(04:41 – 09:41)

• Eric teases Jeremy for referencing old sports topics, like Lakers' playoffs and O.J. Simpson’s death, making fun of delayed podcast listening.
• Discussion turns to music listening habits:
  • Eric prefers curated Apple Music playlists, not CDs.
  • Jeremy lovingly mocks Eric for discovering bands late.
  • Both share which songs they know by heart.
• Notable Quote:
  • Jeremy: “Emo Girl is one of those songs that I know for a fact. I could just... Bam. Give you every lyric.” (08:40)
  • Eric: “So when you sing along with the duet... do you sing both parts?”
  • Jeremy: “I do sing both parts... Sometimes I like to act like I’m the background singer and I'll just hit them with some stuff that's not even in the song.” (08:48 – 09:08)

Genre-Hopping Musicians & Drink Preferences

(09:41 – 13:24)

• Jeremy notes MGK’s move onto the country charts, with Eric remarking on genre crossovers (MGK, Beyoncé, Post Malone).
• The conversation pivots to favorite drinks:
  • Beers, Fireball, and Pitbull:
    • Eric proclaims beer as the “safest drink.”
    • Laments chaos when shots (like Fireball) get involved, especially during celebratory events like New Year's with Pitbull.
    • Quote: Jeremy: “Pitbull is as synonymous with New Year's Eve as the ball drop and I will die on that hill.” (11:14)
  • Champagne Sundays and the right mimosa ratio (5–10% OJ, otherwise “just drink the champagne straight!”).
  • Jeremy recounts brunches with build-your-own mimosa bars.

Midwest Nostalgia & Socializing

(13:24 – 16:16)

• Jeremy and Eric reminisce about Sunday mimosas in Omaha, value of simplicity (“just pour champagne in a gas station cup and drink it”).
• Lament drinking too much OJ ("What a waste of a Sunday... just drinking orange juice all day—like, sociopath.").
• Plans are made for more “champagne Sundays” when Eric moves back.

Coffee Culture & Morning Routines

(16:16 – 24:10)

• Eric’s Coffee Ritual: Only began drinking coffee in the past three years, takes it black, never tried creamer or sugar.
  • Funny Exchange:
    • Jeremy: “You do know coffee gets better, right? When it’s flavored.”
    • Eric: “You’re all drinking curdled milk?” (18:37)
  • Eric’s pet peeve: Airport coffee is always “too hot,” even though airports are places where you need to drink it quickly.
  • Jeremy points out the dual benefit of creamer: flavor and cooling.
• Routine Breakdowns:
  • Eric: 3 cups of black coffee before noon, sometimes with a fig bar. The “crash” hits at 2pm, revived by cracking open a beer at home.
  • Jeremy: Wakes at 4:30am, downs a Monster, maximizes work output before "a lull," then transitions to water, coffee, maybe a pop (Midwestern for "soda"), and naps before hyping up for the evening.

Forming & Breaking Habits

(26:33 – 29:28)

• Eric muses about moving to Omaha as a chance to revise routines (less beer, fewer coffees, eating better)—but admits reverting to old habits is easier.
• Jeremy analogizes creating habits to sticking with strategy in blackjack—routine brings success, but deviation (just once!) can break your streak.

Blackjack Stories, Table Rules, and “The Bob Move”

(27:28 – 41:04)

• The pair swap favorite blackjack stories, including viral videos and their own escapades.
  • Staying consistent vs. deviating in blackjack (splitting sevens, double downs, etc.).
  • Quote: Jeremy: “Like, you never want to stray from the routine. You do what you do...” (27:29)
• Legendary tale of a friend (“Bob,” not his real name) who split fives at the Excalibur—an infamous blackjack faux pas.
  • Dealer confusion, the group’s horror, and Bob’s luck (“You survived, never do that again.”).
  • Quote: Eric: “Bob put down the fives... like he’s casting a spell... the only motion that the dealer recognized... was the split.” (35:28)
• More on betting strategies (progressive betting, chasing losses) and that fatal pit dealer burn:
  • Dealer: “Well, you don’t bet like that.” (39:17)
  • Jeremy: “That was the sickest burn... I look at it as a compliment. You bet with the confidence of ‘this is what you do.’”
• The Bob nickname origin and hilarious persistence ("His name's not Bob. I was one of his groomsmen and his parents were confused... Well, I'm not going to stop calling him Bob." 40:24).

Moving Back to Omaha – Changes & Expectations

(41:18 – 47:49)

• Georgia’s strict gambling laws vs. Nebraska's complicated betting landscape.
• “The Larson Bump”—joking that Eric’s return to Omaha will spark sports success (Nebraska Huskers to win a bowl game, per Jeremy).
  • Quote: “Let’s put on the record today that the Nebraska Cornhuskers are going to win... because of the Larson Bump.” (43:07)
• Eric mourns Georgia’s favorable weather (Atlanta’s record high isn’t even that hot!), wonders if he’ll ever acclimate back to Midwest winters.
  • Glove and scarf epiphany—“this is so comfortable... my neck is warm.” (45:14)
• Jeremy and Eric agree baseball is best as a social experience—minor league games, “Thirsty Thursdays,” hanging out and people-watching.
  • Jeremy: “Baseball games are different. It can be a social event where you’re just hanging out... you could also be really into it... but it’s just fun.”
  • Eric: “It’s tough not to be romantic about baseball... A pastime you check in and out of.”

Wrap-Up & Final Laughs

(50:12 – 51:16)

• Jeremy derails Eric's poetic baseball musings with fantasy baseball talk (“That’s what happy hour is all about.” 50:49).
• Eric signals it’s time for another drink.
• Jeremy teases the open-ended, “as long as it goes” spirit of Friday Happy Hour.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Just because you’re behind on listening to Laugh with Me doesn’t mean I’m not. Hit subscribe, follow, listen. Every week.” – Jeremy (05:14)
• “Give me the lyrics? Yeah, but ‘Emo Girl’ is one of those songs…” (08:46)
• “Pitbull is as synonymous with New Year’s Eve as the ball drop and I will die on that hill.” – Jeremy (11:14)
• “That was ignorant… You’re all drinking curdled milk?” – Eric on flavored coffee (18:37)
• “If you split five-fives, you’re a wild man… Never do that again.” – Jeremy on “Bob’s” infamous blackjack move (37:46)
• “Let’s put on the record today that the Nebraska Cornhuskers are going to win… because of the Larson Bump.” – Jeremy (43:07)
• “I wore a pair of gloves... when I was like 30. And I was just like, this is so comfortable. Why have I not worn gloves to this point in my life?” – Eric (45:14)
• “That’s what happy hour is all about.” – Jeremy, after a tangent (50:49)

Timestamps for Highlighted Segments

• Weekend Opening & Happy Hour Invitation: 03:03–04:41
• Music Playlists & ‘Emo Girl’ Song Banter: 06:44–09:41
• New Year’s, Pitbull, and Champagne Drinks: 10:19–12:14
• Mimosa Ratios & Sunday Traditions: 12:14–15:37
• Coffee Taste, Heat, and Cremer Conversation: 16:20–19:00
• Morning Routines & Beverage Riffs: 20:37–23:31
• Blackjack Stories & “Bob’s” Legendary Split: 35:22–37:47
• Gambling Laws & Coming Back to Nebraska: 41:18–44:48
• Midwest vs. Georgia Weather & Adjustments: 44:48–46:25
• Baseball as a Social Experience: 47:49–49:29
• Wisecracks on Changing Habits: 26:42–27:12
• Final Fantasy Football vs. Baseball Gag: 50:12–50:49

Tone & Takeaways

Tone: Playful, irreverent, nostalgic, banter-driven, “weekend’s here” vibes.

For new listeners:

• The episode encapsulates casual friendship, inside jokes, and heartfelt chuckles, resembling a bar conversation between old friends.
• The chemistry between Jeremy and Eric, with witty jabs and relatable stories, makes even the most trivial routines (coffee, mimosas, music playlists) good, easy company.
• Whether you love sports, are nostalgic for Midwest living, or just want to laugh about the absurdities of adulthood, “Friday Happy Hour” delivers.