Son of a Boy Dad #371: "The Storm" (January 29, 2026)

Podcast: Son of a Boy Dad
Hosts: Roan, Francis, Shane Gillis
Episode Theme: Navigating adulthood with humor, friendships, food, fame, and a healthy amount of self-deprecation. Lil Sasquatch is at a crossroads, and the group uses the chaos of a snowy week, run-ins with celebrities, and plenty of offbeat stories to riff on masculinity, coping, and modern life.

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode circles around the aftermath of a major snowstorm in NYC, the gang’s ventures out on the town (including an epic, if mostly uneventful, night with comedians and baseball star Aaron Judge), and plenty of comedic takes on everything from bougie dining to rock climbing documentaries. At its heart, it’s about navigating young adulthood: forming friendships, confronting expectations, and building a worldview—however haphazardly.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recounting the Storm and a Star-Studded Night Out

[03:35-08:45]

• The hosts survived a huge snowstorm and gathered for a night out that, while enjoyable, proved uneventful: “I don’t really think there’s a single… anecdote.” (Roan, 03:51)
• Star encounter: Aaron Judge of the Yankees drops in post-show, leading to starstruck moments, playful height debates, and discussions about fame—especially Judge’s approachable demeanor in a crowd.
• Memorable confusion: Roan’s buddy fails to react to Aaron Judge, causing Roan to momentarily doubt his own celebrity-spotting abilities.
  “Is that just like a random tall, ethnic person?” (Roan, 05:35)
• Francis is stunned by Judge’s presence:
  “He’s one of a very few group of people that… made me take my breath away.” (Francis, 05:58)

2. Celebrity Interactions & Group Dynamics

[08:45-13:50]

• Tales from backstage: Including a moment where Francis is isolated in the green room as Judge and Anthony Rizzo show up—“I felt like that scene in Superbad when Michael Cera is in the room and those guys come in to start doing drugs.” (Francis, 10:01)
• Comic banter on group interests:
  “I don’t have any specialized interests that I can spur out over in, like, a social setting.” (Shane Gillis, 11:48)

3. Food Adventures and Overanalysis of Dining Out

[14:10-22:10]

• They went to Cote, a high-end Korean steakhouse, and enjoyed the food—but not the vibes.
• Francis critiques the clubby, “Vegas-y” atmosphere:
  “I found it to be a little kind of like Vegas-y… clubby meets gimmicky, like a catch steakhouse type vibe.” (Francis, 16:34)
• Comedic observations about Korean BBQ scissors and safety scissors, glue sticks, etc.
• They debate the value and enjoyment of fine dining, especially for those who don’t drink: “I think it’s just like dining—I don’t know, I don’t get the reward you guys get from going to places like that.” (Roan, 21:59)

4. The Ethics and Faux Pas of Corkage Fees

[27:00-28:40]

• Francis brought his own wine to the restaurant and debates if that’s a “major faux pas or not.”
• Self-awareness and self-deprecation about taste and class.

5. Random Debates: Pizza, Candy, and gas stations

[22:47-26:50]

• Dollar slice pizza vs. fancy dining—and why candy shops where you fill your own bag “teach you a lot about yourself.” (Francis, 24:50)
• Comedic take on full-service gas stations in NJ and the psychology of being “too rich to pump your own gas.”

6. Wine Talk and Roan’s Relationship with Sobriety

[29:07-30:30]

• Light-hearted peer pressure about trying wine—Roan resolves never to indulge (“If I had one sip of wine, me and Judge would have been at Yankee Stadium throwing the ball around.” Roan, 29:35)
• Discussion about boundaries, temptation, and staying sober at social events.

7. Corporate Culture and Rock Climbing Doc Heroes

[31:37-39:15]

• Alex Honnold’s “Free Solo” and the performative world of rock climbing:
  “Rock climbing has to be the most performative sport. 100% more so than even ones that have a hundred thousand people there.” (Shane Gillis, 38:39)
• Cross-examination of documentary stars, their egos, and how they monetize their notoriety with corporates.

8. Tech Obsessions and Streaming Services

[59:22-67:02]

• Spirited debate on building a PC, digital minimalism, and the ever-increasing cost (and confusion) of having 4K streaming, Netflix, YouTube Premium, HBO, etc.
• Francis expresses the satisfaction of locking his ex out of his Netflix account, and how upgrading to 4K streaming was oddly cathartic.
• The group argues over the superiority of various streaming platforms; Roan goes to bat for YouTube Premium, Francis for Netflix.

9. Fancy TVs and the Quest for Digital Art

[64:48-68:41]

• Tangentially obsessed with Samsung Frame TVs and OLEDs; debate on whether having versatile home displays is an art, a luxury, or just a glorified screensaver.
• “Art is never convenient.” (Francis, 68:06)
• “If you had the frame tv, you would get his Gaudi jokes.” (Shane Gillis, 71:34)

10. Grease Fires, Candles, and Facebook Marketplace

[73:11-80:50]

• Francis recounts a close call with a grill fire; the group discusses how to safely put out grease fires and the anxieties of accidentally burning down your building.
• Digression on the science of Yankee Candles, melting wax, and what actually “fuels” a candle. Self-deprecating laughs fill the exchange.
• Jokes about buying used candles on Facebook Marketplace and how it’s a sure sign things have gone sideways in life.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Francis (about Aaron Judge): “He’s one of a very few group of people that… made me take my breath away.” [05:58]
• Roan (on not recognizing the Yankees star): “Is that just like a random tall, ethnic person?” [05:35]
• Shane (mock-berating Francis): “You swapped resolution for ex.” [62:50]
• Francis (on dining at Cote): “I was disappointed. I found it to be a little kind of like Vegas-y… clubby meets gimmicky.” [16:34]
• Francis (on Netflix): “My subscription to Netflix would be one of the last sacrifices I would make.” [63:14]
• Roan (candle philosophy): “If you ever find… you’re selling candles on Facebook Marketplace, things must have gone very wrong.” [79:39]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:35-08:45: Starstruck by Aaron Judge and stories from their night out
• 14:10-22:10: Fine dining at Cote Korean Steakhouse and group attitudes toward food/alcohol
• 27:00-28:40: The etiquette of bringing your own wine to a fancy restaurant
• 31:37-39:15: "Free Solo" doc talk, Honnold, and the culture of extreme sports
• 59:22-67:02: Streaming service loyalty, subscription hacks, and exes mooching Netflix
• 64:48-68:41: Samsung Frame TV, home tech as “art,” and digital living spaces
• 73:11-80:50: Grill fires, candle science, and the absurdities of Facebook Marketplace

Tone & Style Notes

The episode is loose, self-aware, and full of observational comedy—often escalating mundane topics into mini-roasts or philosophical digressions. No topic is off-limits, but the humor is always self-deprecating, with the group taking turns ribbing each other for their habits, elitism, or perceived lack of adult skills.

Bottom Line:
This episode offers a window into navigating “grown-up” life when you’re still not quite sure what adulthood really means. The group floats from celebrity sightings to barbecuing blunders, with plenty of sideways debates on luxury vs. simplicity—making it all relevant, grounded, and hilarious for anyone questioning how to be a man (or even just function) in the modern world.