Staying Alive with Jon Gabrus & Adam Pally

Episode: Eat Pray Hablo (Catch-up Special)
Podcast: Staying Alive
Hosts: Jon Gabrus & Adam Pally
Network: SmartLess Media
Date: January 29, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively and candid catch-up episode, Jon Gabrus and Adam Pally reconnect remotely and swap updates on their personal and professional lives, including Adam’s upcoming travel and Jon’s transformative “Eat Pray Love” style trip to a surf town in Mexico—dubbed by Jon as his "Eat Pray Hablo" adventure. The two reflect on gratitude for work, their podcast’s recognition, the value of traveling for self-growth, and the absurdities and joys of show business. The episode is filled with humor, self-deprecation, stories of cultural immersion, movie banter, and the ongoing search for meaning and motivation in middle age.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Career Gratitude & New Year Energy

• [00:11] Hosts discuss missing each other and the challenge of working remotely, comparing the situation to their workout motto: "just do something."
  • Quote: Adam: “It’s like, just do something.”
• [01:50] Adam reflects on the value of being employed as an actor, especially after slow work periods at the end of the year.
  • Quote: “I’m very, like, on a high of feeling employed, which, as an actor, is like…”
• [03:03] Both note the industry’s yearly rhythm, slowdowns in winter, and the anxiety that comes with it.
  • Quote: Jon: “This is where you start to feel it in the checking account…”

2. Podcast Recognition & Peer Feedback

• [04:21] The guys excitedly celebrate being named a top new podcast of 2025 by Esquire.
  • Quote: “Esquire mentioned us as one of the top podcasts of the year.” — Adam
• [05:55] They express surprise and gratitude that friends and even critics are actually listening.
  • Quote: Jon: “I’ve been impressed with how many of our peers listen.”
  • Quote: Adam: “The coolest thing about that is just that someone heard it, right?”

3. Jon’s “Eat Pray Hablo” Mexican Adventure

[06:45–17:17] Jon dives deep into his two-week solo trip to a small surf town, blending surf, intensive Spanish classes, and personal growth.

• [07:03] Admits to the “white guy left the country and changed his life” cliché, but says it was truly life-changing.
  • Quote: Jon: “I had one of those corny, cliche, like, white guy left the country and changed his life kind of things. I had the fucking time of my life.”
• [07:09] “Vacation” turned out to be hard work: early surfing, two 90-min Spanish classes per day, homework, and exhaustion—but he loved it.
  • Quote: “I fell asleep before 10pm like five nights a week. I was fucking rocked.”
• [09:56] Tells a hilarious and touching story about becoming the “Gringo Grande” (Big Gringo) mascot among locals—decorated toenails, Speedo, calling himself “the Bear of the Ocean Taco Liberty Belt.”
  • Quote: “All these guys were like five foot five and I’m £300 in a bikini ... They were calling me the Gringo Grande. The Oso. The Bear of the Ocean Taco Liberty Belt.”
• [11:04] Reflects on the joy of being an entertainer—even as the butt of the joke.
  • Quote: “If half the laughs I’m getting are at me, I’m still winning.”
• [12:34] Describes a multicultural Christmas with other travelers and a local family—becoming “Juan Lopez” at a baby shower, making friends, drinking mezcal, and immersing fully.
  • Quote: “And when I left, like, the man of the house who was hosting was like, gave me a hug, and he’s like, I’ll miss you, Juan Lopez.” [16:19]

4. Travel as a Mindset Shift

• [17:17] Jon shares his new mantra, “This is what money is for,” after watching a sunset on mushrooms—travel and experiences trump material goods.
  • Quote: “This is what money is for. … I don’t care about houses or clothes … this is worth working hard for.”
• [18:32] Finds inspiration from fellow travelers (“digital nomads”) who shape their lives around regular travel.
• [19:36] Details plans for more travel: Galapagos, Machu Picchu (the 'bougie' way), and an ongoing Spanish journey.

5. Health and Fitness Motivation

• [21:24] Surprised by not gaining weight in Mexico; credits activity (surfing, gym) and GLP-1 medication.
  • Quote: “I was so active ... I also zepbound was helping…”
• [23:51] Since returning, has been “on a tear” with fitness, motivated to keep up new habits.
  • Quote: “I’ve been at the gym like, or doing fitness almost every single day. I’m like on a fucking tear, dude.”

6. Birthday & Apology for Live Show Cancellation

• [26:57] Gabrus is about to turn 44 and apologizes to fans for missing their live show at San Francisco Sketchfest due to scheduling conflicts.
  • Quote: “We wanted to apologize because we’re not able to make it to San Francisco for Gabriel’s birthday and our show at Sketchfest.”
• [27:07] Shares info about still performing at other Sketchfest events and encourages fans to suggest cities for future live shows.

7. Confessions on Fame, Entertaining & Podcasting

• [31:01] Both riff on the slightly narcissistic motivation of performing and podcasting for an audience.
  • Quote: Jon: “I would love to come out there so everyone could see me.”
  • Quote: Adam: “All of this is just a need for me to be seen.”
• [32:29] Reflect on “Staying Alive” as their way to stay connected and have SmartLess Media pay them to talk every week.

8. Pop Culture & Movie Banter

• [35:34–47:51] Entertaining, rapid-fire exchanges on:
  • Gabrus’s upcoming trip with the Doughboys, Chicago food, and favorite chains.
  • Don Rickles’s legacy, stand-up comedy lore, and favorite roast bits.
    • Quote: “My algorithm took a turn from the horny. And there. I get a lot of Rickles stuff now.” — Gabrus [38:47]
  • Recent movies they love: “Marty Supreme,” “One Battle After Another,” “Bone Temple,” and “Avatar 3.” Both note how movies are now labeled “failures” by the industry despite crowd enthusiasm.
    • Quote: Adam: “I gotta tell you, you can’t get a ticket for Marty Supreme. Still here in New York.” [47:10]
  • Profound respect for Jack Black and musing about working with him; Gabrus tells a story about being Jack’s “stunt double” at a video game awards.
    • Quote: “He’s the greatest.” — Adam [50:11]

9. Losses in Entertainment, Reflections on Legends

• [48:21] Remembering the deaths of Rob Reiner and Bob Weir—cornerstones of Adam’s comedic and musical inspirations.
  • Quote: “Mount Pally took a hit this week.” [48:37]
  • Both joke about needing to keep icons like Sandler and Jack Black safe.

10. Looking Ahead

• [52:34] More episodes in the pipeline, plans for “director’s cut” and compilation episodes, and teases at recurring themes and guests.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I had the fucking time of my life. I was there for two weeks.” – Jon (07:06)
• “They were calling me the Gringo Grande… the Bear of the Ocean Taco Liberty Belt.” – Jon (09:56)
• “This is what money is for.” – Jon’s travel mantra (17:17)
• “You are the bravest, most open dude I know, as always.” – Adam (20:55)
• “I would love to come out there so everyone could see me.” – Jon, reflecting on performer’s ego (31:01)
• “If half the laughs I’m getting are at me, I’m still winning.” – Jon (11:11)
• “All of this is just a need for me to be seen.” – Adam (32:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:50] – Reflections on acting, employment & gratitude
• [04:21] – Podcast named a top new show by Esquire
• [06:45] – Beginning of Jon's “Eat Pray Hablo” Mexico story
• [09:09] – Jon describes Mexican vacation routine
• [11:04] – Embracing the entertainer’s role on vacation
• [13:15] – “Juan Lopez” and New Year’s adventures
• [17:17] – Jon’s life mantra: “This is what money is for”
• [23:51] – Fitness motivation & results post-trip
• [26:57] – Apology for Sketchfest live show cancellation
• [31:01] – Why performers do live shows
• [35:34] – Chicago food chat and Doughboys preview
• [38:08] – Don Rickles tribute & comedy tales
• [42:04] – Favorite movies of the year and pop culture talk
• [48:21] – Remembering Rob Reiner and Bob Weir
• [50:29] – Working with Jack Black & comedy stories
• [52:34] – What’s coming up on the podcast

Tone & Language

The tone is irreverent, self-deprecating, honest, and “grossly forthcoming,” with a mix of heartfelt sincerity and trademark comedic riffing. Gabrus and Pally aren’t afraid to go deep on gratitude, vulnerability, and goals, but always circle back to humor, banter, and showbiz absurdity.

For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters

This catch-up special brings listeners inside the raw, real friendship between two comedians trying (with mixed results!) to live better and find meaning as middle-aged professional entertainers. With stories that range from Mexico to New Zealand, deep gratitude for simple things, and an eagerness to keep learning and laughing, it’s a perfect representation of the Staying Alive ethos. If you haven’t listened, this episode will get you up to speed, make you laugh out loud, and maybe inspire your own “Eat Pray Hablo” moment.

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