The Commercial Break – Episode Summary

Podcast: The Commercial Break
Hosts: Bryan Green & Krissy Hoadley
Episode: The Internet, I Like It!
Date: July 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively and unfiltered episode, Bryan and Krissy riff about the state of radio, technology’s impact on media, and the ever-changing ways people consume content—centering on Bryan’s memorable encounter with a radio sales team’s skepticism of “the Internet.” They intersperse their irreverent takes and personal anecdotes with tangents on Atlanta news, famous concerts, internet personalities, and classic moments from their long friendship in broadcasting. The tone remains true to TCB’s brand: chaotic, self-aware, and hilarious, providing listeners with insight-laden comedy grounded in decades of insider experience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Podcasting vs. Terrestrial Radio: The Shift in Media (04:19–13:20)

• The hosts discuss the decline of terrestrial radio and the rise of streaming, podcasts, and personalized media:
  • Bryan describes Odyssey (their network) as still largely terrestrial—a “house on fire” operation, and jokes about buying radio ad spots as if “arranging chairs on the Titanic.”

    “Terrestrial radio is in a spot, that's for sure ... let's help them arrange chairs on the Titanic.” [04:19 – A/Bryan]

  • Krissy notes younger generations (late teens, early 20s) don’t listen to radio; they curate their own music online.
  • Bryan reminisces about radio’s tastemaking power in the ’90s, especially with stations like Atlanta’s 99X, and explains how the advent of Napster, iTunes, and streaming diluted that influence.

2. Bryan’s Legendary 'Internet' Presentation (15:02–18:33)

• Bryan tells a formative story from early in his radio management days, recounting how he was tasked with evangelizing streaming to an incredulous, older sales team:
  • He sweat through a big PowerPoint, struggled with interjections from the crowd, and was thrown by an elderly salesman who simply declared:

    “The Internet. I like it.” [16:50 – Old Radio Salesman, as quoted by Bryan]

  • He points out most coworkers expected this “internet thing” would fade away—highlighting resistance to change across industries.

3. Life in the Radio Sales Trenches (18:33–21:11)

• The hosts reminisce about chaotic, often dysfunctional radio sales culture in the 2000s:
  • Endless sales initiatives: “Cat with a laser pointer. Bing over here. Bing over there.”
  • Pressure-cooker environment fueled unhealthy habits:

    “There’s only one way to survive that ... heavy alcohol and drug use. That’s it.” [19:37 – Bryan]

  • They recall the hedonistic, party-heavy life of radio personalities and salespeople, recounting strip club accounts and all-night events.

4. Atlanta News Tangent: Concerts & Chaos (22:53–34:43)

• The duo discusses Beyoncé’s recent four-night Atlanta stop, focusing on:
  • The theft of unreleased music from her entourage’s car (and how not to leave anything in Atlanta cars).
  • Crowd stampede at Vine City MARTA station post-show:

    “One idiot can trigger a whole bunch of idiots to do another thing. It’s called groupthink.” [27:10 – Bryan]

  • Bryan shares a harrowing, humorous story about near-misses at a fireworks show in Centennial Olympic Park:

    "A firework landed in a baby carrier ... If the guy next to her hadn't thrown it out, it would've exploded on the child. Scariest thing I've ever seen." [32:01 – Bryan]

5. On Big Events, Group Dynamics, and Social Media Stars (34:43–54:38)

• Reflection on major tours (Taylor Swift, Beyoncé) and their huge cultural pull—plus commentary on escalating ticket prices.
• Discussion turns to social media stardom and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, using gymnast Livvy Dunne as an example of personal brand monetization:
  • Bryan:

    "In the near future, your personal brand is going to be the most valuable thing available." [53:13 – Bryan]

  • Comparison to the Joe Rogans, Kardashians, and Conan O’Briens leading their own brands and empires.

6. Atlanta Institutions: Planes, Bars & Biplanes (41:21–48:55)

• Bryan and Krissy swap stories about Atlanta’s classic hangouts (Fellini’s, Vortex, 57 Fighter Squadron).
• Bryan hilariously recalls:
  • Learning to fly at a kids’ aviation school, being the only adult, and nervously taxiing a plane with a 12-year-old “co-pilot.”

7. Celebrity Wealth & Manufactured Fame (54:38–58:49)

• Bryan expresses discomfort at lavish displays of ultra-wealth by celebrities (Oprah, Kris Jenner, Gayle King, Jeff Bezos)—calling out the artificiality of influencer culture:
  • “Kris Jenner to me is the epitome of Stage mom manufactured ... idol worship is never something that’s good.” [56:51 – Bryan]
• They compare original "girlboss" brands Spanx and Skims, marveling at the billions generated by seemingly simple products.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “The Internet. I like it.”
  — Old Salesman (as quoted by Bryan), [16:50]
  Running gag for the episode, emblematic of generational disconnect.

• “Terrestrial radio is in a spot, that's for sure ... let's help them arrange chairs on the Titanic.”
  — Bryan, [04:19]
  Bryan’s deadpan about investing in a declining medium.

• “There’s only one way to survive that ... heavy alcohol and drug use. That’s it.”
  — Bryan, [19:37]
  On the toxic culture in legacy radio during his early career.

• “One idiot can trigger a whole bunch of idiots to do another thing. It’s called groupthink.”
  — Bryan, [27:10]
  On crowd panic after Atlanta concerts, but also a meta-commentary relevant to the show’s recurring themes.

• “In the near future, your personal brand is going to be the most valuable thing available.”
  — Bryan, [53:13]
  Insightful, trend-aware take on social influence and media shifts.

• “Kris Jenner to me is the epitome of Stage mom manufactured ... idol worship is never something that’s good.”
  — Bryan, [56:51 & 57:15]
  Summing up the pair’s skepticism about reality celebrity culture, even while admitting its success.

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment Description | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Podcasting vs. Terrestrial Radio | 04:19–13:20| | Bryan’s First “Internet” Presentation & Sales Team Reaction | 15:02–18:33| | Tales of Dysfunctional Radio Sales Culture | 18:33–21:11| | Atlanta Concert News & Crowd Incidents (Beyoncé, fireworks story) | 22:53–34:43| | The Power of Personal Branding: Social Media Stars & NIL | 51:03–54:38| | Atlanta Spots: 57 Fighter Squadron & Flying Mishaps | 41:21–48:55| | Critique of Celebrity Wealth Displays/Idol Worship | 54:38–58:49| | Merch Drop Tease & Show Wrap-Up | 36:15–38:49, 58:49–EoE|

Tone & Vibe Notes

• Self-deprecating, irreverent, and honest.
• Hosts bounce rapidly between nostalgia, cultural critique, and inside-baseball radio talk; frequent in-jokes and callbacks.
• Expletive-laced at times; no attempt at polish or formality (“chaotic, unfiltered conversation”).
• Emphasizes relatability, generational shifts, and comedic exasperation at the pace of change.

TL;DR

Bryan and Krissy examine the death/rebirth of radio, tech disruption, and the evolution of fame and influence—all through irreverent storytelling (from sales wars to stolen Beyoncé music), highlighting the absurdities of their media careers and the world’s accelerating weirdness. Major themes: adaptability, the fleeting nature of platforms, and the enduring power of personality—even when the Internet leaves the old guard confused but, eventually, won over.

Signature quote:

"The Internet. I like it."