Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Normally Podcast: Epstein Fallout, Hunter Biden’s Media Push & The New Debate Over Modern Motherhood
Date: November 18, 2025
Hosts: Bethany Mandel, Carol Markowitz, and frequent contributor Mary Katharine Ham
Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show's “Normally” segment, co-hosts Bethany Mandel and Carol Markowitz deliver candid, sharp-witted takes on three key current events:

• The continuing political and media obsession with the Jeffrey Epstein files.
• Hunter Biden’s recent media tour and public persona.
• A poignant new cultural conversation around motherhood, inspired by pop music and wider social trends.

The pair blend pop culture, serious news, and relatable personal anecdotes, aiming to demystify hot-button issues and challenge prevailing mainstream narratives with humor and grit.

Segment 1: Epstein Fallout and Media Cynicism

Timestamps: 04:16-11:21

Main Discussion Points

• Reluctance and Weariness:
  Bethany voices strong frustration at the continued focus on Jeffrey Epstein, emphasizing how it distracts from more pressing issues in the run-up to the midterms.

  • Quote:

    “I hate this. I hate this. I hate that every second we spend talking about this nonsense is a second we don’t spend talking about other things... We are right now the party that is dragged down by this Epstein thing.” — Bethany Mandel [04:27]

• Political Pressure on Trump:
  The hosts discuss why Trump feels pushed to support the release of Epstein evidence, viewing it as a political necessity rather than personal vindication.

• Epstein’s Real Victims and the Power Trap:
  Carol maintains a “medium concerned and medium cynical” stance, noting that the real scandal lies in the number of powerful people adjacent to Epstein who have avoided scrutiny.

  • Quote:

    “There are real victims here who I don’t think got justice for sure because he got this sweetheart deal the first time around. And we don’t really know why that happened. And there are a lot of powerful people involved.” — Carol Markowitz [05:36]

• Transparency vs. Cynicism:
  Both agree that more transparency is likely the best course, but doubt it will satisfy conspiracy theorists or the media’s appetite for scandal.

• The Narrative Game and Trump:
  Discussion centers on how media figures—allegedly even some reporters—advised Epstein on damaging Trump, a dynamic Trump doesn’t effectively articulate.

  • Quote:

    “Reporters… giving advice to Jeffrey Epstein about how to destroy Donald Trump. I feel like somebody should put that in Donald Trump’s ear so the next time he’s asked about it, he can point to that.” — Bethany Mandel [08:48]

• Media and Political Collusion:
  Revelations like Virgin Islands Rep. Stacey Plaskett texting with Epstein while questioning Michael Cohen are cited as examples of deep entanglements.

• 2025 Election Framing:
  The hosts want Republicans “back on point,” centering economic messaging over scandal.

  • Quote:

    “I don’t care all caps. All I do care about is that Republicans get back on point when he’s talking about discussing economic issues.” — Carol Markowitz, referencing Trump [10:19]

Segment 2: Hunter Biden’s Media Offensive

Timestamps: 14:47-19:44

Main Discussion Points

• Hunter in the Spotlight:
  Carol notes that Hunter Biden is tailor-made for the “attention economy” and the current swarm of podcast culture:

  • Quote:

    “His personality is perfectly crazy for this moment. An attention economy with a bunch of podcasts—and he’s making use of that crazy personality and sort of unhinged vibe.” — Carol Markowitz [14:55]

• Ambiguity & Defensiveness:
  The hosts dissect Hunter’s paradoxical statements in interviews, where he calls for people to “turn the temperature up” but also insists he is not advocating violence.

  • Quote:

    “What I mean by turning the temperature up is we need to speak truth to power.” — Hunter Biden (quoted by Bethany Mandel) [15:44]

• Political Déjà Vu:
  Both hosts see familiar echoes of 2017’s media strategies, expecting “more impeachments” if the House changes hands. Trump remains a media lodestone regardless.

  • Quote:

    “So much of the past several months feels like a replay of 2017, where it’s like, ooh, huge story. Like, let’s turn up the temperature. When they go low, we go to the gutter.” — Carol Markowitz [15:58]

• Hunter’s Messy Impact:
  The consensus: Hunter’s erratic public appearances may eventually yield useful revelations—but are currently a liability for Democrats.

• Media Accessibility Comparisons:
  Disputing Hunter’s critique of Trump’s media access, the hosts praise Trump’s approachable style contrasted with Biden’s avoidant approach.

  • Quote:

    “[The Trumps] are incredibly accessible. He has regular text conversations off the record and on the record with various reporters all over the spectrum. His cabinet members sit down for long-form interviews regularly.” — Carol Markowitz [18:46]

• Republican & Democratic Disarray:
  Both parties are depicted as internally divided heading into the elections, with “disarray” as the prevailing mood for both camps.

Segment 3: The Debate Over Modern Motherhood

Timestamps: 23:39-35:36

Main Discussion Points

• Musical Catalyst:
  Discussion launches from Bethany’s article inspired by Kelsea Ballerini’s song “I Sit in Parks.” This song reflects generational regret and longing around family and motherhood.

  • Quote:

    “She captures the ache of a generation of women who were told to chase freedom, ambition, and self-discovery, but never what to do when they found themselves alone, wondering if they ran too far from the very things that would have grounded them.” — Bethany Mandel [24:47]

• Feminism vs. Fulfillment:
  The hosts critique “feminist messaging” they see as downplaying the rewards of motherhood and family, noting that many women feel unfulfilled by the promised freedoms.

  • Quote:

    “I've yet to meet a mom who’s like, ‘I wish I had freedom instead of these three children over here.’” — Bethany Mandel [25:36]

• Vulnerability & Empathy:
  Both are sympathetic to women who feel they “missed the mark” or worry about passing the window for having children.

• Declining Desire for Marriage:
  Bethany references a Pew poll showing girls’ stated likelihood to marry has dropped steeply in 30 years, blaming influencers like Andrew Tate for fueling negative messages about marriage in young men’s circles.

• Toxic Influencers:
  Andrew Tate and Nick Fuentes are called out for their “marriage is pointless/women are terrible” messaging. The hosts warn conservatives to guard against these influences on boys.

  • Quote:

    “People need to be concerned with, especially on the right, because [Tate] is coming for the boys... These are all people that you need to worry about them influencing our young boys.” — Bethany Mandel [32:06]

• Loss of Relationship “Scripts”:
  The hosts lament the erosion of social scripts for dating, marriage, and gender roles—but see some optimism in online content encouraging positive relationships.

• Bill Ackman & The ‘May I Meet You’ Meme:
  They riff on Bill Ackman’s suggestion for men to break the ice with, “May I meet you?”—mocked as awkwardly old-fashioned but appreciated as an earnest attempt to revive in-person connection.

  • Quote:

    “It is an old-fashioned way of talking... but I do think there is a thing where people have lost the ability to speak to each other in public.” — Carol Markowitz [34:09]

• Personal Anecdotes & Hopefulness:
  Bethany shares a conversation with her own 12-year-old son, who is reportedly skeptical of both feminist and misogynistic messaging—a hopeful note for the next generation.

  • Quote:

    “He said, you know, the article was sad, but it didn’t concern me. I’m not going to fall for the feminist messaging of the age. …I do worry that the Andrew Tates of the world are going to reach him and tell him that all girls are scum.” — Bethany Mandel [31:18]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I hate this. I hate this. I hate that every second we spend talking about this nonsense is a second we don’t spend talking about other things.” — Bethany Mandel [04:27]
• “There are real victims here who I don’t think got justice for sure because he got this sweetheart deal the first time around.” — Carol Markowitz [05:36]
• “Once you’re rich and famous and can have any girl on the planet, you realize they’re all scum and you don’t want a single one.” — Andrew Tate, as cited by Bethany Mandel [30:15]
• “We’re very heteronormative on the show. There are actually only two genders.” — Bethany Mandel [33:00]
• “Men and women, we gotta pull it together, y'all.” — Carol Markowitz [35:31]

Conclusion

Through humor, personal stories, and sharp political commentary, “Normally” offers listeners a skeptical but ultimately hopeful look at some of the most contentious debates in American politics and culture. Mandel and Markowitz champion honest conversations about media narratives, family, and public messaging, urging listeners to question prevailing wisdom and prioritize genuine connection in a fractured age.

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Epstein Fallout & Media Cynicism: [04:16-11:21]
• Hunter Biden’s Media Push: [14:47-19:44]
• Modern Motherhood Debate & Relationship Scripts: [23:39-35:36]