Podcast Summary: Laugh with Me

Episode: Where Has Jeremy Been?

Host: Jeremy Odem

Date: February 3, 2026

Overview

In this lively and humorous episode, host and comedian Jeremy Odem returns to the mic after a notably long absence due to illness. The show tackles Jeremy’s notorious cold, life with chronic medical conditions, the chaos of pharmacy logistics, and, of course, plenty of sports and pop culture banter. Jeremy brings his signature blend of self-deprecating wit and insightful commentary, including a “Power Ranking” of the world’s most notable redheads ("Gingers"), plus Super Bowl hype, entertainment, and a little nostalgia. The show’s warmth and humor make for both a personal and entertaining listen—even as Jeremy coughs and battles through recovery.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeremy’s Mysterious Absence & Illness

• Jeremy’s return song humorously recaps the show's big question: “Where has Jeremy been?” (02:25)
• Jeremy explains he’s been down for nearly two weeks with a brutal cold, not on vacation or performing, but “sick at home, off of the screen.” (03:38)
• Despite the trope of men overreacting to illness, Jeremy admits:

  “You're so damn right, ladies. It was brutal. Dead to the world for, I don't know, almost two full weeks.” (03:56)

• He jokes about what he could possibly do for a podcast audience without his voice—maybe an AI robot could read his jokes, but “trust me, you’d rather me just not.” (04:28)
• Jeremy reflects on being called “the Ryan Seacrest of podcasting,” noting how much he juggles until he can’t speak at all (05:31).

2. Managing Chronic Illness (Crohn’s Disease) & Pharmacy Frustrations

• Jeremy updates listeners that his Crohn’s medication (Tremfya) was actually working well, giving him rare energy:

  “I felt like strong and kind of full of energy. And I don't remember the last time I felt like that, which is sad and exciting all at the same time.” (07:32)

• A pharmacy text reminder mishap nearly causes a missed dose and a frantic, humor-filled customer service adventure:
  • He details the bizarre wait times:

    “As soon as I got on hold, it said, I'm 18th in line, 11 minute wait. ... Then, 11th in line, 18 minutes. ... 9th in line, 24 minutes. How am I getting closer in line and the time is extending?” (08:32)

• Ultimately, it resolves: medication set to arrive in two days, easing his fears about a Crohn’s flare-up. (09:57)
• Jeremy candidly shares the mental fatigue and “lapses” that happen when you’re “dying from this cold.” (10:35)

3. Humor & Musical Interludes: "Where Has Jeremy Been?"

• Throughout the episode, Jeremy and “The Pepper Spray Singers” perform playful musical recaps about his absence (11:08, 23:31), blending comedy with the reality of being sidelined by illness.
• A standout lyric:

  “Now you’re croaky, but you showed up. That’s the kind of funny that can’t vanish...” (23:31)

4. Super Bowl Hype and “Ginger Power Rankings” (11:54)

• The Super Bowl is this week, with Jeremy personally invested because QB Sam Darnold—also a redhead—is leading the Seahawks.
• This prompts a “Power Ranking of Top 5 Current Gingers in the World”:
  1. Sam Darnold (Seahawks QB)
     • “He’s a hero in Seattle. ... Really exciting for the gingers with QB1 of the Seattle Seahawks leading them in the Super Bowl.” (19:52)
  2. Jeremy Odem (himself)
     • “I persevered, okay? I got a chronic disease and I still made it through this cold alive, barely.” (18:49)
  3. Conan O’Brien
     • Set to host the Academy Awards again (Oscars on March 15th).
     • “He’s a heck of a host and he always puts on a good show ... you know the opening is going to be incredible.” (17:41)
  4. Jesse Plemons
     • Noted for roles in Friday Night Lights and Breaking Bad: “Heck of an actor. Many Academy awards coming his way, I’ve got to assume.” (15:40)
  5. Malcolm X
     • “People forget that Malcolm X, although Black, was a redhead. ... Love to bring him up because people need to know we’ve had some very powerful people with the redhead.” (14:15)
• The segment is both tongue-in-cheek and unexpectedly informative, blending sports, culture, and comedy.

5. Super Bowl Halftime Show Commentary (24:14)

• Jeremy discusses the slightly controversial choice of Bad Bunny as the halftime act:
  • “Bad Bunny ... Everything he does is gold. ... Now he's doing Super Bowl halftime. People are like, well, he doesn't even speak English. ... But, he’s the largest musician in the world, and when I say that, I'm referring to streaming numbers, right?” (24:25)
• He recalls WWE’s iconic “empty arena” halftime show and compares it to this year’s Turning Point USA’s counter-show, headlined by Kid Rock.
• Jeremy’s stance:

  “Am I going to turn the channel to not watch Bad Bunny? No, I'm not. ... Like, I'm gonna end up seeing Kid Rock’s performance. So to Turning Point USA’s point ... they're gonna have people watch this. I'm still gonna watch Bad Bunny. ... It’s the Super Bowl halftime show.” (27:48)

• If the counter-show featured Carrot Top instead? Jeremy jokes that would create real ginger loyalty conflict.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You're so damn right, ladies. It was brutal. Dead to the world for, I don't know, almost two full weeks.” — Jeremy Odem (03:56)
• “I felt like strong and kind of full of energy. And I don't remember the last time I felt like that, which is sad and exciting all at the same time.” — Jeremy (07:32)
• “As soon as I got on hold, it said, I'm 18th in line, 11 minute wait. ... Then, 11th in line, 18 minutes. ... 9th in line, 24 minutes. How am I getting closer in line and the time is extending?” — Jeremy (08:32)
• “Now you’re croaky, but you showed up. That’s the kind of funny that can’t vanish.” — Jeremy Yoda song (23:31)
• “He’s a hero in Seattle. ... Really exciting for the gingers with QB1 of the Seattle Seahawks leading them in the Super Bowl.” — Jeremy on Sam Darnold (19:52)
• “I persevered, okay? I got a chronic disease and I still made it through this cold alive, barely.” — Jeremy (18:49)
• “Conan O’Brien... you know the opening is going to be incredible, and we may even get a musical performance at the top, which I love...” — Jeremy (17:41)
• “Am I going to turn the channel to not watch Bad Bunny? No, I'm not. ... It’s the Super Bowl halftime show.” — Jeremy (27:48)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:25 – “Where Has Jeremy Been?” musical intro and show kickoff
• 03:38–07:00 – Jeremy’s illness saga and jokes about podcasting while sick
• 07:12–10:50 – Crohn's medication, pharmacy odyssey, hilariously confusing customer service
• 11:08 – Musical interlude/comedic recap
• 11:54–20:28 – Super Bowl preview, "Top 5 Gingers" Power ranking, redhead solidarity
• 24:14–29:26 – Super Bowl halftime show discussion: Bad Bunny, Turning Point USA’s counter-show, Kid Rock, Carrot Top hypothetical
• 23:31 – Musical callback: “That’s the kind of funny that can’t vanish.”

Final Thoughts

Jeremy returns in classic comedic form, candidly sharing the not-so-glamorous reality of illness and everyday mishaps while keeping spirits high. Between tales of persistent colds, pharmacy foibles, sports fandom, pop culture quirks, and a loving ode to fellow redheads, this episode is both relatable and sharply funny for regulars and newcomers alike.

For more: Listen to ‘Laugh with Me’ on iHeartPodcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.