The Bonfire with Big Jay Oakerson and Robert Kelly

Episode: Mob Adjacent with Jeff & Monica
Date: February 12, 2026
Main Theme:
A raucous and food-filled episode featuring Jeff and Monica Michelson, owners of The Pastrami House in Morristown, New Jersey, who joined the show after winning a charity auction. The episode spins comic gold out of deli culture, Jewish and Ecuadorian backgrounds, relationships, book-writing, Superman movies, and pop culture—delivered with Jay and Bobby's signature irreverence and honesty.

Episode Overview

This episode of The Bonfire centers on the comedic collision between food, cultural backgrounds, and classic Bonfire mischief as Big Jay and Bobby host Jeff & Monica Michelson. The couple feed the crew, share stories about their lives, their deli, Jeff’s foray into novel writing, and their unique cultural mix. The conversation roams through hilarious personal anecdotes, critiques of comic book movies, pop culture debates, and playful teasing, all spiced up with Bonfire’s trademark no-holds-barred humor.

Guests and Why They're Here

Jeff & Monica Michelson: Owners of The Pastrami House in Morristown, NJ. Won a charity auction prize to guest on the show (possibly outbidding listeners for other SiriusXM shows).
- Monica is Ecuadorian; Jeff is "Jewishy," an accountant by trade, deli owner by passion.
- Jeff recently authored a novel partly based on his own life.

[01:06]
Big Jay Oakerson: "They are the owners of the Pastrami House in Morristown, New Jersey. They are the winners of the... what was the contest called?"
Jacob: "Well, the charity... he bid and the highest bid. And this is the prize."

Food, Culture, and Playful Identity Swapping

Delicious Deli Talk

The crew marvels at the food brought in, joking about Jacob finally eating bread, the wonders of Jewish sandwiches, and why nobody ever gets this excited for Bobby's or Jay's food offerings.
[02:54] Jay: "This guy decides to wait till fucking Jewish sandwich day and fist fuck his stupid mouth full of meat sandwiches."
Monica clarifies the empanada:
[03:49] Monica: "Pastrami. Empanada."
[03:50] Bobby: "Don't ever correct me on my show. We'll kick you out of here right now."
The hosts riff on Monica's Ecuadorian heritage and Jeff’s Jewish background—the banter blending playful ethnically charged jokes with jabs about mail-order brides, OnlyFans, and hypothetically converting the deli to a taco stand.

Body Image and Deli Ownership

Much is made about how both Jeff and Monica run a deli but remain in shape:
[05:28] Bobby: "You own this amazing place and you're...you're shredded."
[05:34] Jay: "They don't get high on their own supply. That's what’s secret, dude."

Name and Family Background

Monica shares her Ecuadorian roots; Jeff jokes about being "Jewishy."
[04:18] Monica: "My family's from Ecuador."
[04:23] Jeff: "Close. Jewishy."

Deli as Side Hustle

Jeff reveals being a CPA while running the deli as a side investment.

Jeff’s Book & Simulated Lives

Premise and Inspiration

Jeff wrote a novel inspired by "The Purge," but instead of a crime spree, people get to live a simulated year of their dream life.
[09:33] Jeff: "This is not [‘The Purge’], but it involves the government giving you one day a year to go into a simulation and lead whatever life you want..."
- Each character’s simulation draws on Jeff’s own aspirations or experiences, such as tornado chasing, playing hockey, and Brazil adventures.

Jokes About Simulations & Spousal Surveillance

The crew ribs Jeff about whether the simulation is an excuse for wild fantasies—and whether Monica will “let” him go tornado chasing.
[10:07] Bobby: "Can you shut Monica’s headphones off, please, real quick?"

Comedy, Jewishness, and Language

Spanish, Portuguese, and Fake Outrage

Monica speaks fluent Spanish; Bobby brags about his Duolingo streak.
[08:24] Monica: "Fluent Spanish, though."
[08:24] Bobby: "Fluent. Because I've been doing Duolingo for 317 days."
The group riffs on language faux pas and over-politicized identity debates.
[08:44] Jay: "The black El Negro."
[08:53] Jay: "I don’t know if it’s like Fat Joe Brown where you can say the N word freely, but I don’t know..."

Deli Rivalries and Jewish Stereotypes

Extended discussion about the difference between deli pickles—sours vs. half-sours.
[23:35] Jay: "It’s the more delicious of the two."
[23:36] Monica: "I would always say it’s more acidic."

Pop Culture, Movies, and Mob-Adjacent Discussion

Casino vs. Goodfellas

[28:49] Jay: "We were watching a little thing yesterday about Goodfellas...I think Casino’s bet, like, it’s more fun to watch. But Goodfellas is a better movie probably."
[29:42] Bobby: "There’s something missing in Casino that Goodfellas had...The story was just so much better."

They debate murder scenes, mob culture, and the believability of Joe Pesci’s characters.

Mob-Adjacency

The concept of being "mob-adjacent" is dissected, with Bobby explaining that many in Italian restaurant or deli worlds are often surrounded by, but not in, the actual mob.
[31:46] Bobby: "No, he...he wasn’t in the mob but he was mob adjacent. Absolutely."
[33:05] Jay: "That’s a thing."

Joe Pesci’s Method Acting

The crew discusses whether the "Funny how?" scene from Goodfellas was improvised and share facts about Pesci’s background.

Superman Movie & Other Geekery

The group goes on a tangent about how certain Superman movies frustrate them—specifically the tornado scene with Kevin Costner.
[13:00] Jay: "He paid you no mind."
[14:07] Bobby: "He would have been there and back. No one would have seen it."
They riff on glasses-as-Superman’s disguise, Kryptonian hypno-glasses, and the S symbol’s meaning.
[20:00] Jay: "They explained that means Superman."
[20:02] Bobby: "No, in the new Superman...it’s not an S. It means hope."
Hilariously debate superhero logic: [14:58] Jay: "So it’s so dumb, too, because things like that make Monica not let Jeff go out and do his fucking tornado hunting."

Current Events, Super Bowl Halftime, and Music

Super Bowl Halftime—Kid Rock vs. Bad Bunny

The group discusses upcoming Super Bowl halftime shows, comparing "all-American" Kid Rock and a more progressive Bad Bunny. [42:32] Jay: "All it would take for me, though, is if you just add, celebrating faith, family, freedom, and go birds. I’d watch that first."
[43:37] Jay: "Bad Bunny. Entertain musically because I just like Kid Rock more than Bad Bunny."
Monica and Bobby weigh in on Bad Bunny’s appeal. [44:09] Monica: "You know, I didn’t like him at first, but the new album...the actual real music. Music."
Bobby wonders aloud if Bad Bunny is gay because of his flamboyance and fashion, only to realize that’s just his impression. [44:47] Jay: "That was your hopes."

Pop Culture: Kevin Hart, Jelly Roll, and Country Music

They note how some celebrities (like Kevin Hart) never get tangled up in politics. [54:09] Jay: "Someone who’s never through his career got mixed up in any political in any way. Kevin Hart’s really done a good job..."
Argue over who actually listens to Johnny Cash, country as a genre, and what passes for “outlaw” these days.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Jeff’s Book:
[09:33] Jeff: "This is not [‘The Purge’], but it involves the government giving you one day a year to go into a simulation and lead whatever life you want..."
On Bringing Food To Win the Show:
[26:20] Bobby: "You realize that you could have just brought this food in and came on the show, right?"
[26:23] Jeff: "Is that an open invitation? I'll bring food in here all the time."
On Jewish Stereotypes and Food:
[23:35] Jay: "It’s the more delicious of the two [pickles]."
[23:36] Monica: "I would always say it’s more acidic."
On Mob-Adjacent Status:
[31:46] Bobby: "He wasn't in the mob, but he was mob adjacent. Absolutely."
On Superman’s Disguise:
[18:12] Jay: "This is what sucks too—the Superman thing where they don’t know it’s Superman is the most annoying part...he just puts a pair of goofy glasses on."
Bad Bunny Identity Crisis:
[44:47] Jay: "That was your hopes."
[45:03] Bobby: "Oh, because he’s a dress—people are calling him because he was in a dress, which I would love to be able to wear dresses."
On Country Music:
[48:48] Jay: "Country music is too easy to do. I promise you. Me and you combine talents of just saying we can make country songs that would chart."

Listener Interaction and Crew Gifts

The Bonfire crew gives Jeff and Monica gifts—from a framed photo of Jacob and Joey Logano to “aged” cans of Batat and legendary Christmas show pajamas, joking about their antique status and possible botulism. [60:04] Jacob: "These might be three years old. So I can't vouch for the flavor because they were in my desk." [62:06] Jay: "So there’s actually...there might be some poo stains. Very nervous."
Monica plans to take a picture in the pajamas and send it to the show—a moment everyone jokes about potentially turning into swinger fan fiction.

Major Timestamps

01:06 – Introductions and charity auction backstory
03:49 – Empanada debate and cultural banter
09:20 – Jeff explains his book’s premise
13:00–17:00 – Superman movie criticisms and tornado hunting tangents
23:20 – Deli pickles and food choices
28:49–33:05 – Pop culture: Goodfellas, Casino, and mob-adjacent life
42:32 – Super Bowl halftime, music, and identity talk
54:09 – On Kevin Hart’s apolitical career
60:04–62:24 – Gifts exchange with signature Bonfire ribbing

Tone and Style

As always, the tone is loose, unapologetically blunt, self-deprecating, and rooted in New York comedy/jock culture. Riffs on ethnicity, gender, and sexuality are volleyed with the clear understanding and rapport of the Bonfire family.

Summary

This episode is a signature Bonfire smorgasbord—lively, unscripted, and driven by comic chemistry. Whether you tune in for food jokes, pop culture arguments, or the meta-commentary on comedy culture itself, the episode is equal parts roast, celebration, and genuinely warm interaction between hosts, the Bonfire crew, and the day's unique guests.

The Bonfire with Big Jay Oakerson and Robert Kelly

Episode Overview

Guests and Why They're Here

Jeff & Monica Michelson: Owners of The Pastrami House in Morristown, NJ. Won a charity auction prize to guest on the show (possibly outbidding listeners for other SiriusXM shows).
- Monica is Ecuadorian; Jeff is "Jewishy," an accountant by trade, deli owner by passion.
- Jeff recently authored a novel partly based on his own life.

Food, Culture, and Playful Identity Swapping

Delicious Deli Talk

The crew marvels at the food brought in, joking about Jacob finally eating bread, the wonders of Jewish sandwiches, and why nobody ever gets this excited for Bobby's or Jay's food offerings.
[02:54] Jay: "This guy decides to wait till fucking Jewish sandwich day and fist fuck his stupid mouth full of meat sandwiches."
Monica clarifies the empanada:
[03:49] Monica: "Pastrami. Empanada."
[03:50] Bobby: "Don't ever correct me on my show. We'll kick you out of here right now."
The hosts riff on Monica's Ecuadorian heritage and Jeff’s Jewish background—the banter blending playful ethnically charged jokes with jabs about mail-order brides, OnlyFans, and hypothetically converting the deli to a taco stand.

Body Image and Deli Ownership

Much is made about how both Jeff and Monica run a deli but remain in shape:
[05:28] Bobby: "You own this amazing place and you're...you're shredded."
[05:34] Jay: "They don't get high on their own supply. That's what’s secret, dude."

Name and Family Background

Monica shares her Ecuadorian roots; Jeff jokes about being "Jewishy."
[04:18] Monica: "My family's from Ecuador."
[04:23] Jeff: "Close. Jewishy."

Deli as Side Hustle

Jeff reveals being a CPA while running the deli as a side investment.

Jeff’s Book & Simulated Lives

Premise and Inspiration

Jeff wrote a novel inspired by "The Purge," but instead of a crime spree, people get to live a simulated year of their dream life.
[09:33] Jeff: "This is not [‘The Purge’], but it involves the government giving you one day a year to go into a simulation and lead whatever life you want..."
- Each character’s simulation draws on Jeff’s own aspirations or experiences, such as tornado chasing, playing hockey, and Brazil adventures.

Jokes About Simulations & Spousal Surveillance

The crew ribs Jeff about whether the simulation is an excuse for wild fantasies—and whether Monica will “let” him go tornado chasing.
[10:07] Bobby: "Can you shut Monica’s headphones off, please, real quick?"

Comedy, Jewishness, and Language

Spanish, Portuguese, and Fake Outrage

Monica speaks fluent Spanish; Bobby brags about his Duolingo streak.
[08:24] Monica: "Fluent Spanish, though."
[08:24] Bobby: "Fluent. Because I've been doing Duolingo for 317 days."
The group riffs on language faux pas and over-politicized identity debates.
[08:44] Jay: "The black El Negro."
[08:53] Jay: "I don’t know if it’s like Fat Joe Brown where you can say the N word freely, but I don’t know..."

Deli Rivalries and Jewish Stereotypes

Extended discussion about the difference between deli pickles—sours vs. half-sours.
[23:35] Jay: "It’s the more delicious of the two."
[23:36] Monica: "I would always say it’s more acidic."

Pop Culture, Movies, and Mob-Adjacent Discussion

Casino vs. Goodfellas

They debate murder scenes, mob culture, and the believability of Joe Pesci’s characters.

Mob-Adjacency

The concept of being "mob-adjacent" is dissected, with Bobby explaining that many in Italian restaurant or deli worlds are often surrounded by, but not in, the actual mob.
[31:46] Bobby: "No, he...he wasn’t in the mob but he was mob adjacent. Absolutely."
[33:05] Jay: "That’s a thing."

Joe Pesci’s Method Acting

The crew discusses whether the "Funny how?" scene from Goodfellas was improvised and share facts about Pesci’s background.

Superman Movie & Other Geekery

The group goes on a tangent about how certain Superman movies frustrate them—specifically the tornado scene with Kevin Costner.
[13:00] Jay: "He paid you no mind."
[14:07] Bobby: "He would have been there and back. No one would have seen it."
They riff on glasses-as-Superman’s disguise, Kryptonian hypno-glasses, and the S symbol’s meaning.
[20:00] Jay: "They explained that means Superman."
[20:02] Bobby: "No, in the new Superman...it’s not an S. It means hope."
Hilariously debate superhero logic: [14:58] Jay: "So it’s so dumb, too, because things like that make Monica not let Jeff go out and do his fucking tornado hunting."

Current Events, Super Bowl Halftime, and Music

Super Bowl Halftime—Kid Rock vs. Bad Bunny

The group discusses upcoming Super Bowl halftime shows, comparing "all-American" Kid Rock and a more progressive Bad Bunny. [42:32] Jay: "All it would take for me, though, is if you just add, celebrating faith, family, freedom, and go birds. I’d watch that first."
[43:37] Jay: "Bad Bunny. Entertain musically because I just like Kid Rock more than Bad Bunny."
Monica and Bobby weigh in on Bad Bunny’s appeal. [44:09] Monica: "You know, I didn’t like him at first, but the new album...the actual real music. Music."
Bobby wonders aloud if Bad Bunny is gay because of his flamboyance and fashion, only to realize that’s just his impression. [44:47] Jay: "That was your hopes."

Pop Culture: Kevin Hart, Jelly Roll, and Country Music

They note how some celebrities (like Kevin Hart) never get tangled up in politics. [54:09] Jay: "Someone who’s never through his career got mixed up in any political in any way. Kevin Hart’s really done a good job..."
Argue over who actually listens to Johnny Cash, country as a genre, and what passes for “outlaw” these days.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Jeff’s Book:
[09:33] Jeff: "This is not [‘The Purge’], but it involves the government giving you one day a year to go into a simulation and lead whatever life you want..."
On Bringing Food To Win the Show:
[26:20] Bobby: "You realize that you could have just brought this food in and came on the show, right?"
[26:23] Jeff: "Is that an open invitation? I'll bring food in here all the time."
On Jewish Stereotypes and Food:
[23:35] Jay: "It’s the more delicious of the two [pickles]."
[23:36] Monica: "I would always say it’s more acidic."
On Mob-Adjacent Status:
[31:46] Bobby: "He wasn't in the mob, but he was mob adjacent. Absolutely."
On Superman’s Disguise:
[18:12] Jay: "This is what sucks too—the Superman thing where they don’t know it’s Superman is the most annoying part...he just puts a pair of goofy glasses on."
Bad Bunny Identity Crisis:
[44:47] Jay: "That was your hopes."
[45:03] Bobby: "Oh, because he’s a dress—people are calling him because he was in a dress, which I would love to be able to wear dresses."
On Country Music:
[48:48] Jay: "Country music is too easy to do. I promise you. Me and you combine talents of just saying we can make country songs that would chart."

Listener Interaction and Crew Gifts

The Bonfire crew gives Jeff and Monica gifts—from a framed photo of Jacob and Joey Logano to “aged” cans of Batat and legendary Christmas show pajamas, joking about their antique status and possible botulism. [60:04] Jacob: "These might be three years old. So I can't vouch for the flavor because they were in my desk." [62:06] Jay: "So there’s actually...there might be some poo stains. Very nervous."
Monica plans to take a picture in the pajamas and send it to the show—a moment everyone jokes about potentially turning into swinger fan fiction.

Major Timestamps

01:06 – Introductions and charity auction backstory
03:49 – Empanada debate and cultural banter
09:20 – Jeff explains his book’s premise
13:00–17:00 – Superman movie criticisms and tornado hunting tangents
23:20 – Deli pickles and food choices
28:49–33:05 – Pop culture: Goodfellas, Casino, and mob-adjacent life
42:32 – Super Bowl halftime, music, and identity talk
54:09 – On Kevin Hart’s apolitical career
60:04–62:24 – Gifts exchange with signature Bonfire ribbing

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Mob Adjacent with Jeff & Monica

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Summary

The Bonfire with Big Jay Oakerson and Robert Kelly

Episode Overview

Guests and Why They're Here

Food, Culture, and Playful Identity Swapping

Jeff’s Book & Simulated Lives

Comedy, Jewishness, and Language

Pop Culture, Movies, and Mob-Adjacent Discussion

Casino vs. Goodfellas

Superman Movie & Other Geekery

Current Events, Super Bowl Halftime, and Music

Super Bowl Halftime—Kid Rock vs. Bad Bunny

Pop Culture: Kevin Hart, Jelly Roll, and Country Music

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Listener Interaction and Crew Gifts

Major Timestamps

Tone and Style

Summary

Summary

The Bonfire with Big Jay Oakerson and Robert Kelly

Episode Overview

Guests and Why They're Here

Food, Culture, and Playful Identity Swapping

Jeff’s Book & Simulated Lives

Comedy, Jewishness, and Language

Pop Culture, Movies, and Mob-Adjacent Discussion

Casino vs. Goodfellas

Superman Movie & Other Geekery

Current Events, Super Bowl Halftime, and Music

Super Bowl Halftime—Kid Rock vs. Bad Bunny

Pop Culture: Kevin Hart, Jelly Roll, and Country Music

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Listener Interaction and Crew Gifts

Major Timestamps

Tone and Style

Summary