The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz — Hour 2: The Middle Seat of Middle Seats (feat. Senator Mark Kelly)

Date: October 29, 2025
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Chris Cody, Mike Ryan, Juju, Tony
Special Guest: Senator Mark Kelly

Episode Overview

This hour is a rollercoaster of tone and content: from calls for humanitarian aid as Jamaica reels from unprecedented Hurricane Melissa, to the hilarious depths of bathroom habits on airplanes, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross’s tarmac travails, and the glamor of a real-life heist with George Clooney commentary. The centerpiece is an extended, candid conversation with Senator Mark Kelly about the looming government shutdown, healthcare, food assistance, and the erosion of democracy.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Crisis in Jamaica: Hurricane Melissa

Timestamp: 02:22 – 07:04

• Dan Le Batard highlights the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and across the Caribbean, noting the unprecedented nature of the storm and its likely underreported strength due to aircraft being unable to enter the storm.
• Focus on climate change’s disproportionate impact on the poor and encouragement for listeners to help via “theafj.org” and “globalempowermentmission.org.”
• Memorable moment: Dan’s heartfelt pause and realization that “thoughts and prayers… seems really insufficient” (06:15).

“The storm that has presently hit Jamaica has no precedent in Jamaica and has very little precedent in the history of storms… It’s a real horror and about to get worse.” — Dan Le Batard (03:31)

2. Mark Schlereth’s Dirty Airplane Secret

Timestamp: 07:04 – 10:53

• Mark Schlereth confesses to purposely peeing on the floor in airplane bathrooms to punish those who walk in with just socks, spawning a hilarious group debate about travelers’ etiquette.
• The crew debates which is the worst “airplane crime:” bare feet vs. stinky food.
• Dan shares his own worst airplane experience: being stuck in the “middle seat of middle seats” next to an exotic fried fish eater on a long-haul international flight.

“I always pee on the floor to make sure if you walk in in socks, you’re getting urine on your feet.” — Mark Schlereth (08:19)

3. Miami Dolphins’ Stephen Ross: Billionaire Problems

Timestamp: 10:53 – 13:02

• The team reacts to video of Dolphins owner Stephen Ross appearing frustrated about having to walk slightly further than he’d like to his car on the tarmac—“the problems of the ultra elite.”
• Banter about wealth, privilege, airport arrivals, and, tongue-in-cheek, Mark Schlereth’s newly revealed bathroom habits.

4. George Clooney, the Art Heist & Ocean’s Movie Meta

Timestamp: 17:03 – 21:29

• George Clooney responds to a recent, real-life heist at the Louvre, and the crew imagines him as a “fence” (the criminal who brokers stolen goods), blurring lines between Ocean’s Eleven fantasy and reality.

• Juju gives a play-by-play of how heist teams and fences work, pointing out the cinematic irony if Clooney himself were involved:

  “George Clooney has now escalated. He was a heist guy, now he’s the fence. That’s why he double crosses him, because… once a thief, always a thief.” — Juju (19:29)

• Discussion leads to reflections on how “cool” and “terrible” overlap in our imaginations around heists.

5. World Cup Hosting & American Politics

Timestamp: 21:32 – 25:36

• The conversation pivots to Donald Trump’s threats to move FIFA World Cup games from “dangerous” (liberal) host cities and the politics surrounding Miami’s potential gain of more matches.
• The crew lampoons Trump’s threats and FIFA’s top brass (“Johnny Infantino” and “Sepp Blatter”) for their criminal-sounding names.

“Johnny Infantino is a great name for somebody who’s doing criminal or immoral things, for sure.” — Dan Le Batard (24:52)

6. Real or Fake Podcast Game

Timestamp: 26:17 – 28:25

• Mike Ryan hosts the hit game where the crew guesses which podcast titles are real or made up:
  • “Closed on Sunday with Patrick Surtan” (real!)
  • “Serving it up with Lance Lynn” (real)
  • “McLove Holiday with Michael Holly” (fake)
  • “Flutie Flakes Cast with Doug Flutie” (real)
  • “Trade and Paint with Bobby Allison” (fake)
• Playful debates and groans abound as the hosts are surprised at what’s real.

7. Interview with Senator Mark Kelly

Timestamp: 31:54 – 44:52

Arizona Sports & Cardinals Pain

• Kelly opens with hope for the Cardinals and Kyler Murray, met with gentle ribbing from the crew.
• “You shouldn’t be hopeful. You will not get back on track.” — Dan Le Batard (33:05)

On the Government Shutdown

• Rising Healthcare Costs: Kelly expresses concern over skyrocketing premiums, particularly via healthcare.gov, and the impact on his constituents.

  “…millions of people across the country are not going to be able to afford their health insurance. So they’re going to… drop it, and then they’re going to be one accident or illness away from bankruptcy.” — Mark Kelly (33:19)

• Federal Employees & Military Pay: Awareness that paychecks will soon be missed and how it affects military families. Kelly criticizes the president for international travel instead of negotiating and for “spending more time on that ridiculous ballroom than he has on the price of people’s health care” (34:45).

• Food Stamps (SNAP): 40 million Americans at risk of losing access. Kelly blames presidential refusal to use contingency funds:

  “[Trump] would rather just have people go hungry instead of deal with the problem and the system that we set up…” — Mark Kelly (35:14)

• “Break the Government?”

  • Dan presses Kelly on whether there’s intent from some to “break the government.”
  • Kelly is “an eternal optimist” but recognizes Congress is paralyzed by loyalty to Trump and the needs are dire, especially for the poor.

    “The reason why we are here is that this president and Republicans… wanted to give a giant tax cut to billionaires and millionaires… part of it paid for by kicking people off of Medicaid and raising premiums.” — Mark Kelly (38:08)

• Erosion of Democracy: Kelly lists his biggest personal worry as the polarization of America and the Department of Justice being “used by the President to go after his perceived enemies.”

  “…that is an erosion of all of those things that kind of bind us together as a nation.” — Mark Kelly (41:16)

On Space & Exploration

• “Is going to space fun?” — “It is the best. It is like… the most crazy and incredible ride anybody could experience. I highly recommend it.” — Mark Kelly (42:32)
• Kelly shares stories of commanding the Space Shuttle, 56 days in space, and the competitive nature of the new “race to the Moon” with China.

8. Miscellaneous Show Banter

• Recurring jokes about sponsor products, finances, and “Miller Time.”
• Plenty of asides celebrating (and lampooning) classic Le Batard Show quirks, like “Real or Fake Podcast” and banter over football intricacies.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On privilege:
  “You guys sound like a bunch of pores. That’s how the ultra elite and wealthy do, man.” — Juju (12:08)

• On bathroom crimes:
  “Worse airplane crime: Taking your shoes off or eating fish on an airplane?” — Dan Le Batard (09:21)

• On government dysfunction:
  “We could sort this out this week if we could just get them engaged… If we can get the president engaged on this, on this problem.” — Mark Kelly (39:04)

• On optimism:
  “Dan, I’m an eternal optimist. I am a guy who flew on a rocket ship built by the lowest bidder.” — Mark Kelly (38:46)

Section Timestamps

• Jamaica Hurricane Crisis: 02:22 – 07:04
• Mark Schlereth/Plane Etiquette: 07:04 – 10:53
• Stephen Ross Tarmac Video: 10:53 – 13:02
• Clooney/Heist Segment: 17:03 – 21:29
• World Cup & Trump Segment: 21:32 – 25:36
• Real or Fake Podcast Game: 26:17 – 28:25
• Mark Kelly Interview: 31:54 – 44:52

Conclusion

This episode embodies the Le Batard blend of humor and seriousness: raucous debates over hygiene and airplane etiquette, bemusement at billionaire behavior, fascination with crime and cinematic lore, but also public service in the form of sincere attention to current crises — both environmental and political.

Senator Mark Kelly’s interview stands out, offering rare clarity on pressing issues with appealing optimism. The show moves seamlessly between mocking, mourning, and marveling — and this Hour 2 delivers everything regular listeners expect, with extra depth for those tuning in for the first time.