Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show – Hour 3, "Be Open to Being Wrong"

Date: November 14, 2025
Hosts: Clay Travis & Buck Sexton
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this hour, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton engage in a lively and thought-provoking discussion focused on political extremism, the toxic culture of social media, mental health—highlighted by John Fetterman's recent revelations—and the digital age’s impact on everyday experiences, including reviews and reputation in consumer apps. The conversation balances serious insights on mental health and political divides with humor and relatable anecdotes about modern life.

Key Discussion Points

1. State Department's Designation of Antifa Groups as FTOs

• [02:18] Buck Sexton opens with news that the U.S. State Department has designated several European Antifa organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), outlining the real-world implications of the designation for law enforcement and national security.
  • "That means once you are FTO, the US government’s ability and tools to deal with you are considerable…on the financial side and legal side and even on the kinetic side."
• The conversation touches on the ongoing debate about whether Antifa is an "idea" or an actionable threat.

2. Online Cruelty, Polarization, and Self-Righteousness

• [05:24] Clay Travis and Buck tie the Antifa news into broader points about online toxicity, especially on the left.
  • Clay argues: "The left is way meaner because there is a self-righteousness that motivates their anger and their antipathy. Their idea is, we’re so right that we can be super mean to people."
  • Buck recalls Elon Musk’s assertion: "Wokeness is really just an excuse for nasty people to be cruel and feel self-righteous about it."

3. John Fetterman’s Experience With Online Harassment & Depression

• [06:36] The show plays a revealing clip of Sen. John Fetterman discussing with CNN’s Dana Bash the vitriol he’s received online, especially from the left.
  • "On the left, it was like ‘they want me to die’ or ‘cheering for your next stroke’...I just can't imagine people are wishing you…I wish he dies or I want him to die, literally cheering for a stroke. That's much different than just calling me a name." – John Fetterman (Clip played)
  • [08:05] Buck: "The online left embraces and celebrates a demonic viciousness that is reflected in the broader Democrat party…it is just reality."

4. Mental Health, Openness to Being Wrong, and Social Media’s Long-Term Effects

• [08:14] Clay Travis discusses the importance of questioning one's own beliefs, openness to being wrong, and the dangers of echo chambers.

  • "If you become convinced that you’re 100% right on everything, then you are willing to dehumanize a lot of people… I encourage everybody out there: be open to the possibility that you’re wrong, because then you will analyze things in a fresh way..."

• Clay expands on Fetterman’s disclosure of contemplating suicide the day after his Senate win, using it as a launchpad to talk about the hidden mental struggles behind public success.

  • "Imagine you win a Senate race, and because of the toxicity, your depression is such that you think about throwing yourself off a bridge…He said the only reason he didn’t do it was because of his kids."

• Draws parallels to past unhealthy societal norms (e.g., smoking) to warn about the potential future reckoning with social media's impact.

• [11:41] Buck:

  • "How can you not have a deep human sympathy that completely supersedes politics for somebody going through that?...For someone not liking Fetterman’s stand on Israel and publicly wishing him to have another stroke...it goes to a lack of humanity."
  • Shares a deeply personal anecdote about witnessing online reactions after a high-profile assassination, likening it to "rummaging through the wreckage of people’s souls."

• [14:00] Clay:

  • "Even people who opposed [Fetterman] politically...have treated him better than Democrats, I take his word for it."
  • Highlights veteran suicide statistics and encourages listeners to seek help for depression:
    "If you’re in that world right now listening to us, get yourself well, there’s nothing wrong with it."

• [15:35] Buck:

  • "No community has done more in our generation, Clay, to destigmatize mental health problems, getting mental health assistance than the veterans."
  • Emphasizes the normalization of seeking mental health support.

5. Lighthearted Segment: Public Speakerphone Etiquette & Digital Ratings

• [21:10] In a shift to everyday grievances and modern life, Buck and Clay debate the etiquette of using speakerphone in public.

  • Buck: "If you’re using speaker in your backyard, that’s fine. Or in your home, that’s fine. My objection is when...I can hear their people on [speakerphone] in a restaurant."

• Clay segues into humorous pushback he's received over a previous segment about pennies—defending his assertion that pennies, nickels, and dimes should be phased out, except the quarter.

  • "I think we should do away with the penny, with the nickel, and with the dime." [24:04]

• Buck proposes a new topic: how digital apps (OpenTable, Uber) wield data about consumer habits and the argument for–or against–"reverse ratings" (i.e., restaurants rating the patrons).

  • "OpenTable…knows things like your wine preferences before you do anything…Are you late a lot? Do you cancel same day? Are you a chronic canceler?" [29:11]
  • Raises the question: "Should any app be able to share with the producer of the goods or service what the consumer is actually like as a consumer?"

6. Anecdotes: Ride Share Ratings, Restaurant Culture, and Dating

• Clay and Buck compare their Uber ratings, with Buck slightly edging out Clay (due, he jokes, to Clay’s kids also using his account).

  • Buck: "I’m just a little more trustworthy for these guys picking me up and being on time. I don’t know. Maybe. You know. Neither here nor there." [27:04]
  • Clay: "My Uber rating has come down since my kids have been connected to my Uber account…I'm not somebody to blame other people, but they are the reason why my Uber rating has declined." [28:27]

• They discuss the impact of ratings on consumer and provider behavior, the mutuality of any such digital reputation systems, and recount personal experiences with restaurants and customer service.

  • Buck: "I get all these like, 'Are you coming? Are you sure you’re coming? Are you confirmed to come?'...They should know that from the app…It’s a little bit like a credit score. This benefits those of us who do what we say. So…I don’t…[mind the system]." [34:39]

• The hosts share humorous stories about dating, reservations gone wrong, and "SantaCon" in New York, using these to illustrate the broader point about expectations, planning, and social rituals.

  • Clay: "I have been Valentine's Day guy walking in like, well, we'll just try three or four different places, somebody will see this." [31:10]

• [37:59] Buck shares a story about receiving special treatment at a DC restaurant only because they were with soccer star Alexi Lalas, poking fun at social hierarchy and celebrity culture.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:18] Buck Sexton:
  "The State Department will designate these four antifa groups as FTOs... That is a major escalation."

• [05:24] Clay Travis:
  "The left is way meaner because there is a self-righteousness that motivates their anger."

• [07:01] John Fetterman (via clip):
  "On the left, they want me to die or were cheering for your next stroke...I can’t imagine people are wishing…you. I wish he dies or I want him to die, literally cheering for a stroke."

• [11:41] Buck Sexton:
  "How can you not have a deep human sympathy that completely supersedes politics for somebody who’s going through that?...You have traded something from your soul."

• [15:35] Buck Sexton:
  "No community has done more in our generation...to destigmatize mental health problems...than the veterans."

• [24:04] Clay Travis:
  "I think we should do away with the penny, with the nickel, and with the dime."

• [29:11] Buck Sexton:
  "OpenTable…knows things like your wine preferences before you do anything…Are you late a lot? Do you cancel same day?..."

• [34:39] Buck Sexton:
  "It’s a little bit like a credit score. This benefits those of us who do what we say or do what we’re supposed to do..."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:18] – State Department’s Antifa FTO designation
• [06:36] – John Fetterman on online cruelty, depression
• [08:14] – Clay's reflections on self-righteousness, being open to being wrong
• [11:41] – Buck: Empathy beyond politics for mental health struggles
• [21:10] – Debate over speakerphone etiquette
• [24:04] – Clay’s anti-penny rant and digital annoyance feedback
• [29:11] – How apps (OpenTable/Uber) track and rate consumers
• [34:39] – Should consumer data/review systems be two-way?
• [37:59] – Alexi Lalas story and the power of celebrity

Tone and Style

The episode expertly balances serious reflections—on mental health, societal toxicity, and the dangers of unchecked political tribalism—with humor, personal anecdotes, and relatable conversations about modern digital life. Clay and Buck’s banter and camaraderie keep the tone conversational, direct, and accessible, using wit and self-deprecation to address even challenging subjects.

In Summary

This episode delves deep into the dangers of ideological extremism and self-righteousness online, using current events, firsthand experiences, and cultural anecdotes to challenge listeners to practice empathy, humility, and critical self-reflection. At the same time, the show doesn't shy from poking fun at life's daily annoyances and the quirks of our digital age, leaving listeners both informed and entertained.