The John Clay Wolfe Show Episode #169 Summary

Date: October 13, 2018
Podcast Aired: February 13, 2026
Host: John Clay Wolfe with J.D. Ryan, Michael Turley, Bobby Brown, and DJ Pre K
Episode Theme:
A fast-paced, unscripted mix of car talk, sports, pop culture, and workplace mayhem—this episode's core story is John Clay Wolfe missing in action for the start of his own show, leading to speculation, jokes, and lively banter before his dramatic late arrival.

Episode Overview

This episode of The John Clay Wolfe Show is an energetic tapestry of off-the-cuff car appraisals, reality auction antics, classic rock nostalgia, playful roasting between co-hosts, and real-world talk about bullying and mental health. The absence of John for the first hour unexpectedly frames the broadcast, shifting focus to the team holding down the fort and the comedic search for their missing leader.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Where Is John Clay Wolfe? The Missing Host Mystery

Timestamps: 34:11 – 48:01

• The show starts without John, causing confusion, speculation, and jokes among J.D., Michael, and Bobby about his whereabouts—ranging from oversleeping, being "over-served," party aftermath, or simply sleeping in because of rain.
  • “It's kind of like Dad's not here, because I'm gonna eat candy in the air.” – J.D. Ryan (35:06)
• Listener theories and call-ins add to the fun, including a suggestion to put GPS trackers on everyone.

Memorable Quote:

"I'm just gonna say he had over served, because he's come in many Saturday mornings...let's put it gently over served..."
– Michael Turley (37:58)

• Eventually, John returns sheepish but spirited, blaming a dead phone/alarm for sleeping through his own program:

  "I've gotten up twice in the past two hours to go to the bathroom, waiting on my phone to go off...I missed the first hour and a half of my program. I hope it was a good one." – John Clay Wolfe (59:28)

2. Car Auctions, Reality TV Chaotics, and Workplace Antics

Timestamps: 04:08 – 08:10; 28:19 – 30:01

• The team describes GiveMeTheVIN.com's car auction as a wild, unscripted spectacle—giant video walls, disco music, and throwdowns with rival auction lanes.
• Workplace is likened to a reality show:
  • "You couldn't script what happens in the buyer's office...Buyers that are taking advantage of other managers...some of them come drunk all the time." – Bobby Brown (06:36)
  • Auction tales include buying odd vehicles: fire trucks, ice cream trucks, tractors, and talk of adding a hearse for a Halloween show.
  • “Pawn Stars would have nothing on this group. We are characters.” – J.D. Ryan (06:50)

3. Music Nostalgia and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Timestamps: 29:00 – 32:42

• Discussion of 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees and influential musical acts.
• Playful debate over which bands “deserve” induction and affection for classic rock and overlooked acts.
  • Memorable moment: Joan Jett leads Nirvana reunion (74:27).
• Personal stories about discovering music, growing up in different eras, and how music helped them cope with life/bullying.

4. Bullying: Real Talk and Satire

Timestamps: 21:35 – 24:54; 18:06 – 20:00; 24:03 – 24:46

• The team goes deep and personal about experiences with bullying in school (height, being a 'geek,' etc.) and how humor became a survival tool.
  • “I was terrorized in school all through junior high till about 9th grade...I was 4ft. tall until I was 16 years old.” – J.D. Ryan (22:54)
• First Lady Melania Trump's comments about being "the most bullied person in the world" are debated and lampooned, with audio clips (18:51).
  • Rush Limbaugh parody offers a satirical take on the "bully" theme (25:00–27:55).
• They encourage listeners facing bullying or tough times to reach out.

5. Kanye West, Pop Culture, and Media Circus

Timestamps: 42:40 – 47:42

• Kanye West’s “off the rails” White House visit and “13th Amendment” comments debated for sincerity vs. self-promotion.
  • “There's a lot of things affecting our mental health...that puts us back into that trap door called the 13th Amendment…” – (43:11)
• The crew speculates if it's an album promo stunt, a mental health struggle, or both.
  • Saturday Night Live Pete Davidson’s take on Kanye:

  “Kanye is a genius, but like a musical genius, you know? But I don't want to hear Joey Chestnut's opinion about things that aren't hot dog related.” (46:23)

6. Absurd Phone Calls and Listener Banter

Timestamps: 40:11 – 42:08; 132:32 – 133:08

• Hilariously bizarre listener calls—one man looking for his wife, another fast-talking on a radio delay—lead to radio chaos and on-air improvisation.

7. Rapid-Fire Car Appraisals & Car Market Real Talk

Scattered throughout episode, e.g., 55:31–69:20, 87:50–99:57

• John fields dozens of live car appraisals with his trademark bluntness, jokes, and sales psychology.
  • Frequent pushback against “Kelly Blue Book” pricing, “Carmax” offers, and emotional sellers.
  • "If I don't beat a CarMax offer today, I'll send you a check for $500!" – John Clay Wolfe (84:12 and repeated).
• Teachable moments about realistic trade-in values, dealer games, and leveraging online appraisals.
  • “Everyone wants to make their problems my problems...You want me to bail you out of your 27 grand loan?!” (70:43)

8. Mental Health and Suicide Awareness

Timestamps: 123:36 – 126:22

• The mood shifts as John shares news of a friend's suicide, sparking a frank, supportive discussion on the realities of depression, suicidal thoughts, and the responsibility to “choose life.”
  • “Choose life, man. Get a hold of me. None of us are too busy. I’ll talk you down till we figure something out.” – J.D. Ryan (126:15)

9. Sex, Love, and the Limits of On-Air Confession

Timestamps: 126:34 – 129:29

• An intentionally light-hearted discussion about sexual fetishes, relationships, and how cultural norms around consent and aggression have changed.
  • “Could you imagine if your girlfriend was like Venus Williams and…she started throwing you around the room like a rag doll?” – John Clay Wolfe (128:16)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Attendance:
  “Sorry. I was in bed. It's just that simple. My phone went dead. I went to sleep last night watching a video and the video kept playing.”
  – John Clay Wolfe (59:28)

• On Workplace Chaos:
  “You see a bunch of misfits. That’s all we are down there at Give Me The VIN office.”
  – John Clay Wolfe (07:03)

• On Musical Inspiration:
  “Whenever I was bullied and feeling bad…Ozzy always made me feel a little better.”
  – J.D. Ryan (16:21)

Episode Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp (approx.) | |------------------------------------------------------|:----------------------:| | John is missing; speculation, audience calls | 34:11 – 48:01 | | Car auction spectacle & reality TV pitch | 04:08 – 08:10, 28:19–30:01 | | Bullying: real stories & Melania audio | 18:06 – 24:54 | | Kanye West’s White House visit & SNL response | 42:40 – 47:42 | | Classic Rock, Hall of Fame, and Joan Jett w/ Nirvana | 29:00 – 32:42, 74:27 | | Absurd call-ins (man looking for wife, etc.) | 40:11 – 42:08, 132:32 – 133:08 | | Mental health & suicide awareness | 123:36 – 126:22 | | Sex & relationships — the light-hearted wrap-up | 126:34 – 129:29 | | Car value rapid-fire call-ins | E.g., 55:31–69:20, 87:50–99:57 |

Tone/Language

Direct, sarcastic, irreverent, and often self-deprecating, the show leverages every opportunity for humor while not shying away from real-life issues.

• John's salesmanship is candid and unfiltered.
• J.D. is reflective and dryly funny.
• Michael and Bobby interject with pop culture, sports, and their own life experiences.

Conclusion

Episode #169 showcases everything fans expect from The John Clay Wolfe Show: improv comedy, unscripted reality, car biz savvy, classic rock reverence, and a willingness to address serious matters beneath the laugher. For new or returning listeners, the missing host drama is a compelling entry point—and the ongoing advice, oddball stories, and real talk keep it engaging from start to finish.