Podcast Summary: The Dan Patrick Show – HOUR 2 with Alex Caruso & Nate Bargatze Release Date: July 11, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Dan Patrick Show, hosts Dan Patrick and Greg Rosenthal delve into a mix of sports insights, comedic anecdotes, and inspirational stories. The highlight guests for this hour are NBA guard Alex Caruso from the Oklahoma City Thunder and renowned comedian Nate Bargatze. Additionally, the show features a special segment with Jonathan Thomas, CEO of American Century Investments, discussing the evolution of their celebrity golf tournament.

Celebrity Family Feud Recap

[02:43] Dan Patrick:
Dan kicks off the hour by celebrating the success of their recent appearance on Celebrity Family Feud. He humorously recounts their victory against the Rich Eisen show, praising his co-hosts and participants for their stellar performances.

"We took a victory lap and rightfully so. We dominated on Celebrity Family Feud last night as we crushed the Rich Eisen show."
— Dan Patrick [02:43]

[04:58] Greg Rosenthal:
Greg reflects on the game, expressing pride in their team’s performance and specifically highlighting Seaton’s crucial role in the final round.

"Seaton's not like the Michael Jordan. No. I would say that maybe Fritzi was the Michael Jordan of our team."
— Greg Rosenthal [05:23]

Interview with Alex Caruso

NBA guard Alex Caruso shares his experiences winning championships with both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The discussion delves into his defensive strategies, handling high-pressure games, and his interactions with legendary players.

Career Highlights and Championships [08:25] Caruso:
Alex talks about the similarities and differences between winning titles with the Lakers and OKC Thunder. He emphasizes the unique challenges each team faced and the fan reactions.

"For me, they try to like, say which one was harder, which one was better, like, you enjoyed more. And I was like, first of all, it's a championship. Like, it's the peak."
— Alex Caruso [09:26]

Defensive Strategies and Guarding Star Players [14:20] Caruso:
Alex discusses the complexities of guarding NBA stars like Steph Curry and LeBron James, highlighting their unique playing styles and the physical demands of defending them.

"Steph is constant. He knows exactly where to go, how to make the reads."
— Alex Caruso [16:33]

Commitment to Defense [11:01] Dan Patrick:
Dan emphasizes the importance of defense in championship teams and commends Alex for his dedication.

"You got to guard to win championships."
— Dan Patrick [11:01]

[12:53] Caruso:
Alex credits his team's commitment to defense and unselfish play as key factors in their success.

"Playing for each other and playing defense like that has to be what it is."
— Alex Caruso [12:53]

Interview with Nate Bargatze

Comedian Nate Bargatze opens up about his long-standing comedy career, the impact of social media on stand-up, and his interactions with comedy legends like Jerry Seinfeld and Adam Sandler.

Career Journey and Persistence [23:34] Nate Bargatze:
Nate discusses the perseverance required to succeed in comedy, sharing insights on staying true to his style amidst evolving industry trends.

"You just got to show up. You just got to be like, hang out."
— Nate Bargatze [23:34]

Impact of Social Media on Comedy [25:00] Bargatze:
Nate reflects on how social media has transformed the comedy landscape, presenting both opportunities and challenges for modern comedians.

"Young comedians are in a tricky spot because they have to get the followers, but it's not sustainable."
— Nate Bargatze [26:55]

Influences and Comedy Heroes [34:04] Bargatze:
Talking about his comedic influences, Nate mentions being a big fan of Seinfeld and comedians like Brian Regan, highlighting how they shaped his approach to humor.

"I'm a big Seinfeld fan. Brian Regan was one that came up."
— Nate Bargatze [34:04]

Personal Stories and Interactions with Comedy Legends [35:16] Bargatze:
Nate shares a heartwarming story about meeting Jerry Seinfeld, illustrating the mutual respect and camaraderie within the comedy community.

"He sent me a very nice message. He watched one of my specials and now we've got to know each other."
— Nate Bargatze [35:16]

Challenges in Comedy Writing and Performance [32:00] Dan Patrick:
Dan references Nate’s SNL skit about hitting the bird on the golf course, discussing the creative process behind memorable comedy bits.

"You had to think, did that go to be big? Like, did you think?"
— Dan Patrick [32:05]

"Greg Garza wrote it, and it ended up being great because..."
— Greg Rosenthal [32:14]

Interview with Jonathan Thomas

Jonathan Thomas, Chairman, CEO, and President of American Century Investments, shares insights into the growth of their celebrity golf tournament and its significant charitable contributions.

Evolution of the Golf Tournament [42:23] Jonathan Thomas:
Jonathan recounts the humble beginnings of the golf tournament as a simple event and its transformation into the "Super Bowl of celebrity golf."

"We started with a few thousand people and now we have over 80,000 attendees, which is more than most PGA tournaments."
— Jonathan Thomas [44:06]

Impact and Charitable Contributions [45:00] Jonathan Thomas:
He highlights the dual impact of the tournament on local charities and the broader medical research funded by American Century Investments.

"We've raised about $8 million for local and national charities, and American Century has directed over $2.2 billion to fund medical research since 2000."
— Jonathan Thomas [45:00]

Trophy Mishap and Redemption [42:28] Jonathan Thomas:
Jonathan shares an amusing yet embarrassing story about mistakenly awarding the same trophy for 18 years and his efforts to rectify the oversight.

"Steph won a dramatic finish and took the trophy, but I realized I had been giving out the same trophy for 18 years."
— Jonathan Thomas [42:33]

Future Growth and Community Engagement [44:58] Jonathan Thomas:
He discusses the strategies that fueled the tournament's growth, including leveraging celebrity influence and expanding the event's reach through word of mouth.

"We've turned this into some way or another, the Super Bowl of celebrity golf."
— Jonathan Thomas [44:58]

Closing Remarks

As the hour wraps up, Dan Patrick previews upcoming guests, including Rob McElhenney of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and co-owner of Wrexham, setting the stage for another dynamic discussion in the next segment. The show concludes with a recap of highlights and a teaser for future episodes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dan Patrick [02:43]:
  "We took a victory lap and rightfully so. We dominated on Celebrity Family Feud last night as we crushed the Rich Eisen show."

• Alex Caruso [09:26]:
  "For me, they try to like, say which one was harder, which one was better, like, you enjoyed more. And I was like, first of all, it's a championship. Like, it's the peak."

• Nate Bargatze [23:34]:
  "You just got to show up. You just got to be like, hang out."

• Jonathan Thomas [44:06]:
  "We started with a few thousand people and now we have over 80,000 attendees, which is more than most PGA tournaments."

Conclusion

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show weaves together compelling narratives from the worlds of sports and comedy, offering listeners a blend of expert insights, personal stories, and heartfelt discussions. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, a comedy lover, or someone inspired by philanthropic efforts, this episode provides a rich and engaging experience that encapsulates the essence of Dan Patrick's dynamic hosting.