Podcast Summary: "Laugh With Me" REWIND: Tiger King Calls from Prison & Kyle Discusses the Call

Host: Jeremy Odem (Jo)
Guests: Joe Exotic (Tiger King), Kyle (Jo's brother)
Producer: Johnny Palermo
Original Air Date: October 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This special "Rewind" episode of "Laugh With Me" features one of the podcast’s most talked-about interviews: a candid phone call with Joe Exotic (the Tiger King) from federal prison, originally recorded in July. Host Jeremy Odem revisits this unusual and revealing conversation, followed by a call-in from his brother Kyle, who offers commentary, reactions, and comedic breakdowns of Joe Exotic’s statements and circumstances. Targeted to new iHeartRadio listeners, this episode provides an unvarnished look at Joe Exotic's ongoing legal battle, his pop culture legacy, personal struggles, and the enduring strangeness of being "Tiger King."

Key Segments and Timestamps

• [01:14] - Introduction & Context from Jeremy (Jo)
• [05:11] - Joe Exotic's Call from Prison Begins
• [20:24] - Post-interview Reaction & Breakdown with Jeremy and Johnny
• [27:05] - Kyle Calls In for Extended Reaction & Analysis

Full Breakdown and Highlights

1. Jeremy Sets the Scene (01:14–05:11)

• Jeremy Odem welcomes listeners to a "Rewind" episode, designed for the new iHeartRadio audience.
• Announces that "Laugh With Me" is now joining iHeartRadio.
• Explains that the episode will replay the full Joe Exotic interview—originally limited to around 15 minutes due to prison call restrictions.
• Contextualizes the cultural phenomenon of Tiger King and its ongoing references in American life.

“Maybe you missed out that we had a very special guest call us this past July, from prison, the Tiger King himself, Joe Exotic, he called in just to kind of update us on where he's at with his pardon...” – Jo (01:54)

2. The Joe Exotic Prison Call (05:11–20:24)

A. Seeking a Presidential Pardon (06:09–09:01)

• Joe explains the repeated attempts to secure a pardon, efforts under two presidents, and the bureaucratic limbo involved.
• Reveals that people like Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, Congressman Eric Burleson, Joe Rogan, Dana White, and Matt Gaetz have advocated for him.
• Discusses the political speculation that Trump might use Joe’s pardon as a “distraction” for bigger news.

"The people that have been, you know, telling me that it's coming are direct friends of Donald Jr. So...who knows?" – Joe Exotic (07:55)
"He'll use it when he needs to use it...right now, his best opportunity...would be now to...distract...from this Epstein stuff." – Joe Exotic (09:04)

B. Reflections on Fame & Pop Culture (10:06–12:16)

• Joe describes glimpses of his own fame after cancer treatment, noting people recognizing him even in the backseat of a police car.
• He shares his wish to use his notoriety for good—“fixing little kids’ faces with Operation Smile” and feeding the homeless.
• Expresses frustration that he’s unable to act on these ambitions while imprisoned.

"If I make it out of here alive, it's going to be kind of crazy because, you know, I've never been prepared for this kind of notoriety." – Joe Exotic (11:05)
"The platform that I do have out there, the amazing things I could do to fix more little kids faces...would be phenomenal." – Joe Exotic (11:26)

C. Financial Exploitation & Legal Battles (12:30–15:17)

• Joe discusses movie and TV offers—nothing can move forward unless he’s released.
• Reveals he never agreed to, nor was paid for, the original Netflix Tiger King—footage was re-purposed from a separate reality project.
• Details legal battles over the rights to his music, having won a judgment acknowledging his authorship but still needing to sue Netflix and others.
• Describes the myriad ways others have profited from his image and music while he's incarcerated.

"I didn't film for Tiger King...I never saw Tiger King until about six months ago." – Joe Exotic (12:44) "Everybody has taken advantage of Joe being in...prison and not being able to fight for myself." – Joe Exotic (15:09)

D. Artistic Output, AI, and Personal Life (15:36–17:59)

• Joe confirms he’s started writing new music again, thanks in part to his personal circumstances (his husband being deported).
• Notably, he collaborates with people outside prison using AI tools to create music from his lyrics.
• Talks about his husband’s deportation immediately upon release and vows to join him in Mexico if released.

"I send them the songs and then I guess there's a very awesome music AI program out there that has put the words and the sound to it..." – Joe Exotic (16:20) "Trump, let me out of here so I can...buy one of your $5 million gold cards so I can bring him back to America." – Joe Exotic (17:59)

E. Reflections on Justice & Other Cast Members (18:07–20:24)

• Comments on co-star Doc Antle’s recent sentencing, contrasting it with his own (“Joe Exotic is in here for 21 [years]”; Doc gets one).
• Highlights perceived inequalities in the justice system.
• Shares memories of traveling shows in Nebraska and reflects on the legacy of his traveling zoo.
• Ends with an appeal to listeners to visit his website for support.

"That just goes to show you that the United States government...just showed an example of a man that was smuggling human beings...Joe Exotic is in here for 21 [years]." – Joe Exotic (19:00)

3. Immediate Reactions with Johnny & Jo (20:24–27:05)

• Jeremy comments on Joe’s surprisingly upbeat tone and willingness to keep fighting.
• Draws attention to Joe’s obliviousness about his own viral fame.
• Reminds listeners about Joe’s ongoing health struggles and unresolved legal issues.
• Urges listeners to check out Joe Exotic’s website and Instagram for updates and merchandise.

4. Kyle Joins for a Candid Breakdown (27:05–49:57)

A. On Joe’s State of Mind & Social Media Disconnect (27:05–28:59)

• Jeremy and Kyle joke about how insensitive it was to open the call with the number of days Joe has been in prison.
• They note Joe’s lack of familiarity with Instagram—highlighting his disconnect from today’s social media world.

"No one wants to hear that. Thanks for reminding me." – Kyle (27:05)

B. Pop Culture, Pardons, and Delusion (29:05–32:59)

• Kyle reflects on the fleeting but immense cultural impact of Tiger King.
• Skeptical of Joe’s stated plans to buy a $5 million Trump gold card, given his financial situation.
• Both share doubts that MAGA figures are truly lobbying for Joe.

"Homie, you have $5? Like, where are you getting this $5 million?" – Kyle (29:21)

C. On Justice and Accountability (31:47–39:07)

• Kyle expresses skepticism over Joe’s claims of innocence, noting the murder-for-hire conviction is based on multiple sources (“even if this guy [witness] lied, he also paid an undercover FBI agent”).
• They joke about the absurdity of justice in the world of Tiger King and its cast.
• Discuss the darker sides of everyone involved (especially Carole Baskin).

"When you're dealing with folks who own actual tigers, everything is sketch. No part of their life can be clean." – Kyle (37:48)

D. AI Music, Entertainment Behind Bars, and Joe’s Future (35:08–44:43)

• Both are amused and incredulous at Joe’s use of AI to turn lyrics into “songs.”
• Speculate about whether notorious entertainers like Joe or R. Kelly perform “inside,” drawing a Seinfeld reference.
• Acknowledge Joe’s unusual ability to find love in prison and navigate life circumstances.

"This dude's writing, like, three lines of words, and he's calling that writing music nowadays. What is happening?" – Kyle (36:43)

E. Joe’s Legacy, the Book, and What’s Next (44:43–49:04)

• Reveal Joe wrote a book using just 30 minutes of computer time per day.
• Discuss possibilities for autographed books, Carol Baskin as a future podcast guest, and the surreal fame brought by the Netflix show.
• Kyle reflects on the impossibility of handling that level of attention.

"Can you imagine 34 million people watching your show, your life, in, like, the first 10 days?" – Jo (46:07) "I would crumble. I would curl into a ball and never come out of my house again." – Kyle (46:21)

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• On fame outlasting incarceration:
  "I've never been prepared for this kind of notoriety." — Joe Exotic (11:05)

• On the absurd legal situation:
  "Everybody has taken advantage of Joe being in a...prison and not being able to fight for myself." — Joe Exotic (15:09)

• On political endorsements and the pardon:
  "I've got some of the biggest names there is, you know, out there shooting for this." — Joe Exotic (07:19)

• Kyle's comedic skepticism on Joe's finances:
  "Homie, you have $5? Like, where are you getting this $5 million?" — Kyle (29:21)

• On the surreal AI songwriting:
  "This dude's writing, like, three lines of words, and he's calling that writing music nowadays. What is happening?" — Kyle (36:43)

Final Thoughts and Takeaways

• Joe Exotic remains a fascinating and polarizing character: despite his claims of doing good and his perseverance, his narrative is heavily colored by both true crime and pop culture spectacle.
• The Netflix series' impact is still enormous, though Joe himself doesn’t really grasp its scale.
• Jeremy and Kyle’s analysis mixes humor and skepticism, offering levity and critical distance from Joe’s self-described victimhood.
• The episode closes with plans to reach out to Carole Baskin, and a reminder that Joe’s story is ongoing—at least for podcast listeners.

Where to Learn More

• Joe’s Website and Updates: joeexoticofficial.com
• Merchandise and Book Sales: Promoted as sources of legal defense funds
• Follow on Instagram: @joe_exotic

Recommended For:

• Fans of "Tiger King" and offbeat true crime stories
• Listeners drawn to the intersection of crime and pop culture
• Audiences interested in prison perspectives, fame, and the weirdness of pandemic-era phenomena
• Anyone who appreciates a mix of humor, skepticism, and genuine curiosity about larger-than-life personas