Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Hour 2: Sorry, I Was Hardly Listening
Guests: Jessica Smetana, Congressman Maxwell Frost
Date: October 16, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Dan Le Batard and the crew (Stugotz, Mike Ryan, Billy, Jeremy, and Jessica Smetana) are joined by Congressman Maxwell Frost for a multi-topic journey through college football, quirky media moments, and the intricate realities of government shutdowns and national politics. The show blends irreverent humor, pointed sports analysis, and an informative yet casual conversation with a sitting U.S. congressman.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Jessica’s Notre Dame Tips for Zaslow

[01:46 - 06:54]

• Notre Dame vs. USC Rivalry: Jessica Smetana offers travel and tailgating advice for Zaslow, who’s heading to Notre Dame for the first time.
  • “Letting it all soak in like me and Lucy did a couple weeks ago.” (Jessica, 02:17)
• Touchdown Jesus vs. The Mona Lisa: Zaslow compares the iconic campus mural to the underwhelming experience of seeing the Mona Lisa.
  • “The difference between the Mona Lisa and Touchdown Jesus is about 5,000 square feet.” (Jessica, 03:03)
• Game Atmosphere: Discussion turns to the uniqueness of Notre Dame’s game-day energy, the potential finality of the storied USC rivalry, and why fans may be more “rowdy” this year.
• College Football Implications: Mike Ryan and Jessica ponder whether Notre Dame’s independence could cost them a playoff spot due to a lack of a conference championship game.
  • “That's the conference championship would certainly solidify that... this is the one time where their independence may haunt them a little bit.” (Mike Ryan, 06:35)
  • “If Notre Dame goes... and is on the playoff bubble and misses it, I don’t think any Notre Dame fan alive would be like, man, I wish we were in the Big Ten this season.” (Jessica, 06:54)

2. The Pope as a Cubs/White Sox Troll

[07:14 - 08:32]

• The show reacts to viral video of the Pope, a noted White Sox fan, playfully ribbing Cubs fans—much to lifelong Cubs fan Jessica’s chagrin.
  • “God doesn’t love the Cubs, it’s obvious. 2016 was a fluke and it sent the whole universe into some sort of black hole tailspin... God does not love the Chicago Cubs, Dan, and neither does the Pope.” (Jessica, 07:52)
• Memorable moment: Jessica’s mock despair at her team’s cosmic misfortune.

3. College Football Controversy Corner: “Tortilla Gate” & Handshake Drama

[08:38 - 13:06]

• Tortilla Throwing at Texas Tech: Jessica recaps the tortilla-throwing tradition at Texas Tech, Big 12 rule changes, in-game penalties, and awkward post-game coach handshakes.
  • “...so Texas Tech was fined for the tortilla throwing, $25,000. And Kansas was fined for Lance Leopold’s comments about the Big 12.” (Jessica, 11:34)
• Pocket Knife Mystery: A rumor circulates about a pocket knife being thrown onto the field; video evidence is ambiguous as to whether it was thrown maliciously or dropped by a sideline staffer.
  • “I watched the video several times. I can’t tell what the hell’s going on in this video.” (Jessica, 11:31)
• Media Literacy & Emotions: Jessica emphasizes waiting before making postgame accusations.
  • “This is why you wait until your Monday press conference to be really emotional and call people out.” (Jessica, 12:20)

4. College Football Fashion & Internet Memes

[17:32 - 18:37]

• Discussion about the “blue collar” jacket look at Michigan press conferences fuels a round of AI-generated memes and Photoshops.
  • “I like the jacket. I think it’s kind of cute. I mean, everyone wants to clown Sharon Moore. It’s a cute jacket. I like it…” (Jessica, 18:18)
• Mike Ryan praises the creativity of college football internet and explains how memes lighten the mood.

5. UAB Coaching Carousel, AI Ethics & Coaching Buyouts

[18:59 - 25:32]

• Who’s UAB’s Interim Coach? Jessica quizzes the crew, revealing it’s Chris Mortensen’s son.
• Reflections on Trent Dilfer’s short tenure: “How long did he last? A year and a half. Two years. How long did he last?” (Dan Le Batard, 20:29)
• AI Deepfakes: Conversation about the controversy over AI using likenesses of public figures like Robin Williams and MLK.
  • “We’re in a dangerous place, and this is all going to be used for bad. But for the moment, let’s enjoy some of the fun stuff.” (Mike Ryan, 21:23)
• College Football Buyouts: The James Franklin saga at Penn State—the unusual legal requirement that a fired coach must actively seek the highest-paying job, or risk losing buyout money.
  • “He has to seek out the highest possible payment for said job within his skill set so that Penn State can pay the difference.” (Jeremy, 23:48)

6. Underrated Teams & Weekend College Football Preview

[25:36 - 29:12]

• Jessica and Dan trade thoughts on under-the-radar playoff contenders (Texas Tech, South Florida, BYU).
  • “I think both of those teams are actually playoff good… Do you have anyone in the landscape where you’re like, man, I really like what that team is doing, but I don’t think anyone is paying real attention?” (Dan Le Batard, 25:36)
• Mike and Jessica look ahead at key matchups, highlighting the Big Ten and Pac-12 playoff scenarios.

7. Dog Owners and Small Talk Woes

[32:31 - 33:22]

• Comic detour: Billy frets about awkwardness making small talk with fellow dog owners, comparing it to interacting with other parents at a playground.
  • “What do I talk to these other dog owners about?” (Billy, 33:05)

8. National Politics with Congressman Maxwell Frost

[33:33 - 49:02]

Government Shutdown & ACA Implications

[34:04 - 39:59]

• Rep. Frost explains the government shutdown’s real-world impact:
  • “The federal government is currently shut down... a lot of people get furloughed... There’s a lot of people who are told, ‘You have to come to work, or you’ll get fired. And, by the way, you’re also not getting paid.’” (Frost, 34:04)
• Affordable Care Act tax subsidies are at risk, meaning health insurance premiums for millions (especially in Florida) could double or triple.
  • “The average we’re seeing is about double... This isn't some abstract BS that politicians are using for talking points; this is going to impact real people.” (Frost, 35:52)

Government Response, Epstein Files, and Protest Power

[39:59 - 43:34]

• Le Batard queries about the Epstein files—Rep. Frost confirms Trump's name is in them and frames the issue as above party lines.
  • “I don't care if you have an R or D next to your name, you need to be held accountable.” (Frost, 38:28)
• Mike Ryan asks: What can the Dems do with little institutional power?
  • “When you don't have all the power you want, you use all the power that you’ve got... The purpose of protest is... to show an authoritarian that you don’t have the people on your side.” (Frost, 40:40/41:30)

Life-and-Death Consequences

[43:34 - 45:19]

• Frost mourns the plight of federal workers:
  • “These are working class people who are not getting rich off of working for the government... They’re not getting paid right now.” (Frost, 44:00)

ICE Raids & Private Prisons

[45:19 - 47:26]

• Le Batard: “Can you tell me please, where we are with something that feels less American than most of the things that I’ve experienced in my life in America?”
• Frost is blunt: “This isn’t even mass deportation... this is kidnapping people in our communities and literally human trafficking them to other places.” (Frost, 45:37)

Frost’s “Bet the House” (Lighthearted Outro)

[47:26 - 49:02]

• Congressman’s pick: Air Force to beat Wyoming.
  • Repeated with gusto: “Air Force. Go Airport!” (Billy, 48:45)

Notable Quotes

• “God doesn’t love the Cubs, Dan, and neither does the Pope.” — Jessica Smetana, (07:52)
• “When you don’t have all the power you want, you use all the power that you’ve got.” — Rep. Maxwell Frost, (40:40)
• “This isn’t some abstract BS that politicians are using for talking points; this is going to impact real people.” — Rep. Maxwell Frost, (35:52)
• “I like the jacket. I think it’s kind of cute… If it said Jessica on it, I would wear that.” — Jessica Smetana, (18:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------|----------| | Notre Dame/USC discussion | 01:46 | 06:54 | | Pope as White Sox/Cubs troll | 07:14 | 08:32 | | College football tortilla/pocket knife story | 08:38 | 13:06 | | College football memes & blue collar jacket | 17:32 | 18:37 | | AI deepfakes & college coach buyouts | 18:59 | 25:32 | | Underrated teams & preview | 25:36 | 29:12 | | Small talk for dog owners | 32:31 | 33:22 | | Rep. Maxwell Frost segment begins | 33:33 | 49:02 | | Shutdown/ACA details | 34:04 | 39:59 | | Epstein files and activism | 39:59 | 43:34 | | Government shutdown dangers | 43:34 | 45:19 | | ICE raids/private prisons | 45:19 | 47:26 | | Lightning round “Bet the House” | 47:26 | 49:02 |

Final Thoughts

This hour of the Dan Le Batard Show exemplifies the podcast’s unique blend of smart sports talk, irreverent humor, and unexpectedly sharp political discussion. Sports fans get unique insights into the weekend’s biggest college football matchups, while listeners invested in politics and current affairs are treated to an honest, impassioned look at government gridlock and its ramifications—all without missing a beat on jokes about dog park anxiety or White Sox-clad Popes.

For next week: The crew promises to revisit “fake bus thongs” (Skims ad campaign) and more college football reactions!