Podcast Summary: The Commercial Break – Episode "2024: Not On Fleek"

Release Date: December 31, 2024
Host: Bryan Green and Kristen Joy Oatley
Guest: Christina
Duration: Approximately 59 minutes

1. Introduction to the Episode (03:03 - 04:04)

The episode kicks off with Bryan Green expressing hope for an introspective discussion on regrets from 2024. Kristen Joy Oatley humorously interjects with a lighthearted regret about not cooking naked enough, setting the tone for the episode's blend of humor and personal reflection.

Quote:

• Bryan Green (03:03): "On this episode of the Commercial Break. What did you regret in 2024? This one I'm hoping will be introspective."
• Kristen Joy Oatley (03:17): "I said that we didn't cook naked enough."

2. New Year's Eve Traditions and Personal Memories (04:04 - 13:48)

The hosts delve into their personal and cultural New Year's Eve traditions. Bryan shares nostalgic memories of celebrating with his grandmother in Melrose Park, Illinois, highlighting the unique basement "Cheers bar" that hosted local gangsters and became a family gathering spot. He recounts cherished moments, such as burning cassette tapes of comedy albums and watching Dick Clark’s iconic ball drop.

Key Points:

• Bryan’s Family Traditions: Celebrating New Year's Eve with elaborate setups, including a full bar and entertainment.
• Cultural Practices: Discussing Venezuelan New Year's traditions, emphasizing extensive party waves and the consumption of grapes for luck.
• Decorative and Symbolic Rituals: Wearing red underwear for good luck and soaking a dollar bill in champagne as per tradition.

Notable Quotes:

• Bryan Green (06:00): "You could literally belly up to this bar and there could be a bartender back there serving you drinks."
• Kristen Joy Oatley (10:01): "She's been very, very stressed out... it made me so sad."

3. Reflections on 2024: Love, Hate, Regret, Desire (25:48 - 58:25)

The core segment revolves around the hosts and guest Christina sharing their loves, hates, regrets, and desires from the year 2024.

**a. Loves in 2024

• Bryan:

  • His podcast, "The Commercial Break," surviving industry challenges.
  • Improvements due to new contracts and support from the team.

• Kristen:

  • Taylor Swift's tour and her relationship with Travis Kelce.
  • The revelation that "Bigfoot" was likely a man with a hat.

• Christina:

  • Achieving her 30k run for her 30th birthday despite knee surgery.

Quotes:

• Kristen Joy Oatley (25:57): "I loved Taylor Swift's tour and her love with Travis Kelce."
• Christina (27:03): "I ran well... and I did the map wrong and ended up running 20 miles."
• Bryan Green (28:04): "The podcast survived what would have been the demise of most other podcasts."

b. Hates in 2024

• Bryan:

  • The divisive and stressful election season, expressing concern over societal tensions.

• Kristen:

  • Heavy traffic, particularly the Wednesday before Christmas.

• Christina:

  • Lack of air conditioning in her 22-year-old car, making Atlanta summers unbearable.

Quotes:

• Bryan Green (34:52): "I really hated the election season... we are going to come unglued."
• Christina (33:50): "I hated not having air conditioning in my car... It’s my own fault."
• Kristen Joy Oatley (32:42): "Let me look at this traffic on the way home after the Christmas episode."

c. Regrets in 2024

• Kristen:

  • Lighthearted regret about not cooking naked enough for more Instagram content.

• Christina:

  • Spending excessive hours listening to the podcast jokes.
  • Not addressing her health issues sooner, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

• Bryan:

  • Limited time spent with his partner Astrid due to the chaos of podcasting and family life.

Quotes:

• Kristen Joy Oatley (36:21): "I said that Jeff and I didn't cook naked enough."
• Christina (36:46): "Not being able to figure out my health stuff sooner... it was the thing I thought it was at the start."
• Bryan Green (37:32): "I regret that Astrid and I did not get more time as a couple."

d. Desires for 2025

• Kristen:

  • More episodes of "Mountain Monsters" with diverse monsters like witches, ghosts, and ghouls.

• Christina:

  • Harmonious relationships between her cats, easing her stress.

• Bryan:

  • Regular massages for relaxation.
  • Elevating the podcast to new heights.
  • Achieving 10,000 YouTube subscribers and enhancing social media presence.

Quotes:

• Kristen Joy Oatley (44:19): "I want to see a good witch. A ghost, a ghoul."
• Christina (45:25): "I want my cats to get along."
• Bryan Green (46:22): "I want massages... and more listeners."

4. Personal Anecdotes and Humor (13:48 - 25:47)

Throughout the reflections, the hosts share humorous and candid stories:

• Bryan recounts past experiences with hotel parties and live shows, highlighting their chaotic nature.
• Christina discusses her medical challenges and the importance of advocating for oneself in healthcare.
• The trio engages in playful banter about social media mishaps, such as TikTok bans and Instagram algorithms.

Notable Quotes:

• Bryan Green (19:10): "A Widespread Panic concert on New Year's. Kevin used to do that every year."
• Christina (21:55): "Brian might have just said it's time to take a break, but some of us have to work right now."

5. New Year's Countdown and Toast (43:37 - 58:25)

As midnight approaches, the hosts transition into a countdown, sharing a toast to listeners. They engage in light-hearted antics, including jokes about red underwear traditions and humorous remarks about their own shortcomings. The segment concludes with heartfelt wishes for the new year and a final toast.

Key Moments:

• Countdown Initiation: Coordinated attempt to start a 10-minute timer for the countdown.
• Toast: Acknowledging absent friends and family, extending warm wishes to all listeners.
• Final Reflections: Bryan shares his gratitude for listener support, emphasizing the podcast's impact on his life.

Quotes:

• Bryan Green (52:54): "Here's to those that aren't here. Here's to those that are near and dear."
• Kristen Joy Oatley (53:16): "Cheers to you listeners."
• Brian Green (54:33): "I hope your new year brings you luck and love and wealth and health."

6. Conclusion and Farewell (58:25 - End)

The episode wraps up with final promotions and humorous exchanges about their journey and future plans. The hosts express excitement for the upcoming year, hinting at continued content creation and listener engagement.

Highlights:

• Promotion of Stickers: Encouraging listeners to request free stickers via their website.
• Final Remarks: Bryan emphasizes the importance of listener support and the community they’ve built.
• Humorous Endings: Playful jokes about personal lives and podcasting challenges.

Notable Quotes:

• Bryan Green (57:07): "Tell us your crazy stories, your interesting anecdotes... How sexy is your cousin? I want to know all about it."
• Kristen Joy Oatley (58:25): "Women rule the world."

Key Takeaways:

• Personal Growth and Resilience: The hosts reflect on overcoming podcasting challenges and personal hurdles, showcasing resilience and adaptability.

• Cultural Appreciation: Discussions on diverse New Year's traditions highlight an appreciation for different cultural practices and their significance.

• Community Engagement: Emphasis on listener support underscores the importance of community in sustaining and growing the podcast.

• Humor and Relatability: The blend of humor with genuine personal stories makes the content relatable and engaging for listeners.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Bryan Green (06:00): "You could literally belly up to this bar and there could be a bartender back there serving you drinks."
• Kristen Joy Oatley (10:01): "She's been very, very stressed out... it made me so sad."
• Bryan Green (34:52): "I really hated the election season... we are going to come unglued."
• Christina (27:03): "I ran well... and I did the map wrong and ended up running 20 miles."
• Bryan Green (28:04): "The podcast survived what would have been the demise of most other podcasts."
• Kristen Joy Oatley (36:21): "I said that Jeff and I didn't cook naked enough."
• Bryan Green (37:32): "I regret that Astrid and I did not get more time as a couple."
• Kristen Joy Oatley (44:19): "I want to see a good witch. A ghost, a ghoul."
• Bryan Green (46:22): "I want massages... and more listeners."
• Bryan Green (54:33): "I hope your new year brings you luck and love and wealth and health."

Conclusion

"The Commercial Break" episode "2024: Not On Fleek" offers a rich tapestry of personal anecdotes, cultural discussions, and heartfelt reflections. Bryan, Kristen, and Christina create an engaging narrative that balances humor with genuine introspection, providing listeners with both entertainment and relatable content as they bid farewell to the year and look forward to the new beginnings of 2025.