Podcast Summary: Story Warz - Episode 049: Steve Byrne, Dusty Slay, & Dave Smith | Drinking
Release Date: July 11, 2025
Host/Author: GaS Digital Network
Location: Live from The Stand Comedy Club, New York City
Overview
In Episode 049 of Story Warz, hosted by GaS Digital Network's Big Jay Oakerson and Louis J. Gomez, comedians Steve Byrne, Dusty Slay, and Dave Smith join the hosts for an evening filled with humor, competitive storytelling, and dynamic interactions. The episode centers around the theme of "Drinking," where each participant shares personal anecdotes, aiming to deceive their peers and earn points through convincing narratives.
Introduction to Story Warz
[02:20] Louis J. Gomez
Louis kicks off the episode by welcoming the audience to the second night of the Nashville Comedy Festival, setting an energetic tone for the evening. He introduces the concept of Story Warz, a game where panelists submit stories on a given topic—in this case, drinking—and attempt to both deceive others and correctly identify the origin of submitted stories.
[05:21] Louis J. Gomez
He explains the rules: panelists submit 3-5 stories each, and during the game, stories are read anonymously. If a panelist recognizes their own story, they must convince others it's not theirs; otherwise, they guess whose story theirs is. Correct guesses earn points, while successfully deceiving others also adds to their score.
Quotes:
- Louis: "Drinking. That's a fun one."
- Big J: "Our lovely producer Alex will read these stories off one at a time, in no particular order."
First Round of Stories
[07:16] Alex
Alex, the producer, reads the first story: "When I was 15, I got shit faced at a party and puked on a table in front of the hottest girl in my school."
[07:27] Big J Oakerson & Panelists
The panel immediately suspects Louis due to the relatable nature of the story, but he deflects by pointing out his limited drinking history before the legal age.
[09:06] Dave Smith
Dusty argues in favor of Dave Smith, suggesting such antics align with Dave's persona as a "party guy."
[12:07] Alex
Truth revealed: This story belongs to Dave Smith, solidifying his position.
Quotes:
- Louis: "This is an everybody story."
- Dave: "I voted for Dave."
Second Round of Stories
[17:59] Alex
Story Two: "The first time I had tequila, I fought a black dog."
[18:11] Panel Discussion
Dusty takes the lead, insinuating that despite his calm demeanor, the story might be his own misadventure with tequila.
[24:31] Alex
The story is confirmed to belong to Steve Byrne, highlighting his surprising and humorous altercation fueled by tequila.
Quotes:
- Dusty: "For some reason I have to go Dusty on this."
- Steve: "So I get out of the car, and suddenly I end up hugging a small gay man."
Third Round of Stories
[31:57] Alex
Story Three: "I was so drunk during one hookup that I took a break from going down on her to go puke rally and get back to eating her. Hoo ha."
[33:00] Panel Discussion
The panelists debate whether this risqué story aligns more with Dusty or Steve, ultimately revealing it to be Big J's own tale of a messy hookup mishap.
Quotes:
- Big J: "I started writing in someone else's voice."
- Louis: "This is not me."
Fourth Round of Stories
[40:57] Alex
Story Four: "Once, while day drinking, I used a hand dryer in the bathroom stall to dry pee off of my khakis."
[42:00] Panel Discussion
The panel narrowly discerns that this awkward and relatable drunk story is Dave Smith's, reflecting his candid and humorous nature.
Quotes:
- Dave: "It was one of the three or four times that I got hammered in my youth."
- Louis: "This is Dave's story."
Fifth Round of Stories
[54:47] Alex
Story Five: "I got drunk at a high school party and drove my car across the host's lawn."
[56:00] Panel Discussion
After much deliberation, the panel identifies this reckless drunken escapade as Louis J. Gomez's, showcasing his ability to surprise and engage with unconventional antics.
Quotes:
- Louis: "This was a Vanagha... It's very hilly."
- Dusty: "It's clearly him."
Final Points and Winner Announcement
[60:47] Alex
Scores are continually updated, reflecting the competitive spirit of the game.
[77:59] Big J Oakerson
In the final story, after intense debate, Steve Byrne claims the last story, leading to the final score tally.
[90:26] Final Scores Reveal
- Louis J. Gomez: 20 Points (Winner)
- Steve Byrne: 19 Points
- Big J Oakerson & Dusty Slay: 13 Points each
- Dave Smith: 3 Points
[91:00] Finale
Louis J. Gomez triumphantly secures the game, earning the coveted book, "We Should All Be Feminists" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, which the hosts highly praise for its cultural significance and thought-provoking content.
Quotes:
- Louis: "It's a short, powerful essay. I’m going to be fighting very hard to keep that book in the Story Wars library."
- Big J: "How about a big round of applause for everybody who joined us tonight on this panel."
Conclusion
Episode 049 of Story Warz offers a night of laughter, competitive storytelling, and insightful banter among comedians. The theme of "Drinking" serves as a fertile ground for humorous and relatable stories, allowing participants to showcase their wit and improvisational skills. Louis J. Gomez emerges victorious, adding a memorable chapter to the show's history. The episode concludes with plugs for sponsors and future events, maintaining the engaging and interactive spirit that Story Warz is known for.
Notable Quotes:
- Steve Byrne: "Be water, my friend."
- Big J Oakerson: "If you go with Dusty, then I think Dusty has one more chance to stay in the tournament."
- Louis J. Gomez: "You can still ruin it for somebody else. You're not. Not important. You just can't win."
Timestamp Highlights:
- [05:21] Introduction to the game's rules
- [07:16] Story One begins
- [17:59] Story Two begins
- [31:57] Story Three begins
- [40:57] Story Four begins
- [54:47] Story Five begins
- [77:59] Final story and score reveal
- [91:00] Winner announcement
This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of Episode 049 of Story Warz, providing an engaging overview for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.