Son of a Boy Dad Podcast #353: The Year of Francis

Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Barstool Sports
Participants: Francis Ellis, Frankie, Harry (Lil Sasquatch)

Episode Overview

This episode is a celebratory and chaotic review of Francis Ellis’s recent golf championship victory, the Barstool "Internet Invitational," aptly framing 2025 as “The Year of Francis.” The guys dissect tournament drama, golfing ethics, pressure under the spotlight, the meaning of success after hitting rock bottom, and classic travel woes—all with their trademark irreverence. The episode is a mix of storytelling, behind-the-scenes glimpses, personal revelations, and plenty of laughs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Francis Ellis Wins the Internet Invitational (Golf Tournament)

Timestamps: 02:01 – 41:00

• Francis’s Win: Francis recounts his win at Barstool’s Internet Invitational golf tournament, the secrecy after winning (since it was pre-taped), and how the finale was “good vs. evil” with cheating scandals and clutch performances.
• Format & Drama:
  • 48 players, whittled down over several days (03:23)
  • Finalists included YouTube golf stars and notable personalities.
  • Cheating scandals surface involving the use of illegal rangefinder “slope” functions and controversial course behavior, especially targeting the “Good Good” team and Paige.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Francis: “I thought it was one of the best pieces of content I’ve ever seen from Barstool.” (03:23)
  • Francis: “It was truly good versus evil.” (06:04)
  • Francis: “If someone read the script of how that tournament was going to end, Hollywood agents would be like, this is too on the nose, it’s cheesy.” (06:02)
  • Harry (on the cheating): “How crazy is it to cheat when there’s one million cameras out?” (21:54)
• Ethics & Rules:
  • Explains the importance of rangefinder slope and why its use was unethical (16:51–18:27)
  • Francis and Brad wrestle with whether to press a formal complaint, then the gallery erupts into controversy.
• Pressure & Performance:
  • Francis describes the overwhelming nerves during the final holes, comparing it to the most anxious moments of his life:
    • “Nothing compares to the way that I felt for the final three holes of this golf match. I stopped talking... I couldn't swallow.” (28:23)
• Climactic Ending:
  • The team’s tense final moments, including a disastrous shot by Frankie that sealed Francis’s win.
  • Francis never fully enjoyed the win until watching the edited video, feeling more relief than euphoria:
    • “There was never a building—and then now we can relax—never... I never got to feel a feeling of euphoria from this win.” (36:52)

2. Reflections on “The Year of Francis” & Rebound from Adversity

Timestamps: 41:01 – 43:11

• Personal Turnaround: Francis contrasts his 2024 (divorce, depression, “the pits of despair”) with the banner year of 2025—professional wins, creative projects, new outlook.
• Uplifting Message:
  • “If you’re in a really tough spot, it can go to the opposite extreme, if you’re willing to do what little work you need to do to make that happen.” (43:11)
• Group Dynamic:
  • Friends express joy and (mock) pride in Francis’s success, connecting it to the “rising tide lifts all boats” philosophy.

3. Airline Woes: Lil Sasquatch vs. Delta

Timestamps: 63:38 – 75:55

• Harry’s Nightmare Travel Story:
  • Harry gets his (first class!) seat given away at the gate despite being on time, battles with indifferent staff, files a DOT complaint and wrestles unsuccessfully for compensation.
  • “There’s never been more helpless. The doors are open, I have a seat, and I can't get on the plane.” (71:04)
• Group Support & Strategies:
  • Practical advice on getting refunds, escalating issues, and even how dressing better at the airport may earn more respect (83:42)
  • Laments modern airline policies and “scam” status of loyalty programs.

4. Group Banter on Fame/Success, Travel, and Personal Growth

Timestamps: 75:56 – 85:38

• Luxury Creep: Francis admits to "hooking" Harry on first-class travel and nice accommodations, a point both lament and embrace.
• “You cannot put the toothpaste back in. It’s out the tube.” (82:15)
• Balancing Friendship and Competition:
  • Harry and Frankie tease Francis about being the hotshot now; Francis earnestly roots for his co-hosts’ success (“I want you to win!” 61:43) while admitting past jealousy has been replaced by inspiration.
• More Classic Group Banter: Adventure planning, comedy gigs, mutual support, and “you’re not alone in the hallway outside the party” metaphors for when life gets tough.

5. Odds & Ends—Comedy, Food, and Beavers

Timestamps: 85:38 – End

• Food & Travel Debates:
  • Chicago vs. NYC Italian food, Harry’s disastrous Uber Eats hot dog
• Hot Dogs and Upton Sinclair’s 'The Jungle': Francis gives history of Chicago’s infamous meat packing, much to Harry’s new disgust.
• Fish Week Recap & Future Adventure Content:
  • Planning more fishing, trapping, and golf content—possibly a Triwizard Tournament with other Barstool personalities.
• Frankie’s Disdain for Beavers: Literal trapping plans, animal respect/hate, and misadventures in nature.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I thought it was one of the best pieces of content that I've ever seen from Barstool.” – Francis, reflecting on the golf event (03:23)
• “If someone read the script … Hollywood agents would be like, this is too on the nose, it’s cheesy.” – Francis (06:02)
• “Nothing compares to the way that I felt for the final three holes of this golf match. I stopped talking.” – Francis (28:23)
• “If you’re in a really tough spot, it can go to the opposite extreme... if you’re willing to do, you know, what little work you need to do.” – Francis (43:11)
• “You cannot put the toothpaste back in. It’s out the tube.” – Francis on comfort creep (82:15)
• “I want you to win … I’m not going to go so far as to say I enjoy [my friends’ successes] more than my own, but it’s close. When I was younger I probably got jealous; now I see it as inspiring.” – Francis (61:19)
• “There’s never been more helpless. The doors are open, I have a seat, and I can’t get on the plane.” – Harry (71:04)

Important Segments (Timestamps)

• Francis Recaps Golf Win & Tournament Ethics: 02:01–13:00
• Cheating Scandals (Paige/Mo/rangefinder): 13:00–24:00
• Pressure in Final Holes: 27:32–37:00
• Life Turnarounds & ‘Year of Francis’ Reflections: 41:01–43:11
• Airline Horror Story (Delta Drama): 63:38–75:55
• Supporting Each Others’ Success: 60:52–61:43
• Travel, Comedy, Hot Dogs & Food Talk: 85:38–89:03

Final Thoughts

This episode is a mix of self-deprecating humor, reflective wisdom, and group camaraderie. It’s a testament to finding the joy (or, at least, the content) in personal stress and public success. Francis’s journey—from a low point in 2024 to his “year”—serves as the emotional throughline, made all the richer by the group’s blend of honesty, mockery, and support.

If you missed it, you’ll want to head to Barstool’s video of the Internet Invitational, catch Francis’s tour dates, and maybe prep your own travel nightmare story. And, of course, keep rooting for the boys—next up, maybe it’ll be the “Year of Sass.”