The John Clay Wolfe Show – Episode #536 – December 27, 2025
Overview
This episode of "The John Clay Wolfe Show" is a classic post-Christmas, pre-New Year hangout, brimming with the show’s signature blend of humor, irreverence, car talk, and raw personal stories. Broadcasting live, John and the crew riff on holiday mishaps, family drama, listener calls about classic cars, their ongoing bets, cultural trends, and even existential questions about AI and aging. At its heart, this episode is a celebration of unscripted conversation—anchored in the world of car auctions and deals, but just as likely to veer into comedic banter, Gen-Z slang, and deeper personal reflection.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Holiday Catch-Up & Catastrophes (01:29–04:50)
Boat Club Tales & Family Drama
- The group swaps Christmas stories — J.D. gets a boat club membership ("better than a boat"), while Mike got stuck with the real thing.
- Discussion on family Christmas catastrophes, from grill grease fires to avoiding political debates at the dinner table.
- Quote: "You know, family time, that’s what Christmas is about, right?" – J.D. (01:32)
- “You got better than a boat, you got a boat club! You don’t even have to launch the damn thing.” – Mike (01:45)
Family Diversity & Avoidance Tactics
- The hosts acknowledge their diverse (and sometimes divided) family backgrounds, with a running joke about which controversial topics are fair game at the Christmas table.
- Serious topics (politics) and humorous ones (getting burnt eyebrows grilling) are both mined for laughs and real talk.
Inviting Chaos
- Suggestions for having listeners call in about their own Christmas family "catastrophes"—from drunken relatives to big family announcements gone wrong.
2. "Gay Rob" Storytime & Ex-Spouse Comedy (04:34–09:25)
John's Ex-Wife, Her Gay Friend, and Petty Invitations
- John spins a lengthy, tongue-in-cheek story about his ex-wife’s flamboyantly gay friend, "Gay Rob."
- He admits to inviting Rob to his own Christmas party, partly knowing it would irritate his ex.
- Quote: "It’s like hiring a midget stripper... he’s not just a gay guy, he’s a gay guy." – John (07:51)
- The narrative doubles as commentary on divorce dynamics, shared social circles, and playful pettiness in blended families.
Reflections on Ex-Relationships
- Nuanced, threadbare honesty about moving past animosity with an ex, but still liking to "throw a little scratch" now and then.
3. Buying and Selling Classic Cars – The Human Side (13:00–18:36)
Listener Segment: The "Too Many Cars, Not Enough Time" Dilemma
- Greg, a listener, calls to discuss possibly selling his car collection due to a terminal cancer diagnosis.
- John contemplates a pre-sale contract idea: buy classic cars from older collectors now, let them enjoy their rides while alive, then take ownership after their passing—solving the future headache for heirs and supporting the owners in the meantime.
- Insightful exchange about legacy, practical business, and emotional reality.
- Quote: "They just want to come over, drive it, bring it back empty and dirty." – Greg, on grandkids and his cars (16:16)
- John: "If you want to do a deal now... You can be the first one." (16:35)
- The emotional weight and dignity of aging out of hobbies, and how families often don’t share their elders’ passions.
4. Real-Time Car Deals & Auction Talk (19:32–30:00 and Lightning Rounds throughout)
Live Call-Ins and Unvarnished Appraisal
- Multiple listeners try to sell their cars on-air: from a 23 Chevy Express van and 05 Corvette to partially restored classic pickups.
- John’s unfiltered auction expertise and sarcasm are front and center.
- Quote: “Have you ever heard me making fun... about people trying to sell me their projects? I mean, you know, I think I’d rather you go crap on the floor and shovel it up and ask me what I’ll pay for that.” – John (28:39)
- Complexities of selling unfinished "project cars" and unresolved family land disputes are compared ("I’m still pissed at my brother over a horse deal from 35 years ago").
- He draws vivid, sometimes bittersweet parallels between old trucks and old ranchland inheritance battles.
5. Rock & Roll, Sports, and Pop Culture Detours (39:00–54:00)
Boxing, Bets, & Man Crushes
- Discussion of Jake Paul’s recent fight, the spectacle of YouTube boxing, and inflated paydays.
- Banter about athlete attractiveness (Anthony Joshua), leading into a running joke about "man crushes," “no homo,” and marital insecurity.
- Memorable Quotes:
- "He surprised my jaw." – John, quoting Jake Paul (40:21)
- "Turley likes his men big and ripped." – John, teasing co-host (44:33)
- Memorable Quotes:
- Sports betting segment: NFL and college football picks, topped with comedic posturing about who’s owed what ("You are down $600 to me." – J.D., 46:09).
Gen-Z Slang, Trends, and Top 10 Lists
- J.D. and Mike run through top word searches and trends of 2025—slop (bad AI content), 'rage bait,' ‘touch grass,’ and the mysterious “six-seven nobody.”
- The show pokes fun at trends and the old guard’s bemused struggle to keep up.
6. Car Market Dynamics & Tesla Resale Value Debate (65:07–67:00)
- Discussion of the top cars losing resale value, especially Teslas. John disputes the data, expressing skepticism about mainstream reporting and noting he trusts Tesla values more than some other brands.
- Quote: “I think you’ve got bad information. It’s from USA Today.” – John (67:00)
7. The Human Side of Aging, Driving, and Real Estate Legacy (56:19–61:00)
Saying Goodbye to Driving
- Feature call with Paul, an 86-year-old facing pressure to stop driving for health reasons.
- Endearing, honest conversation about dignity, loss of independence, and practical logistics.
- Quote: “When that time comes, what’s the reaction of John Clay Wolfe gonna be?” – J.D. (59:50)
- John and team reflect candidly on their own fears about aging and losing autonomy.
8. Jamie’s Story: Illness, Hope, and a Charity Corvette (113:14–123:08)
- Jamie, a Texas listener diagnosed with a rare cancer, calls in to share her story about auctioning her 1957 Corvette at Barrett-Jackson to help pay for treatment.
- Her viral social media post garnered support—including direct outreach from actor Billy Baldwin and Barrett-Jackson.
- Detailed, heartfelt discussion of her journey, finances of cancer treatment, and the role of the classic car as a lifeline and symbol of hope.
- Quote: “This has just shown me how beautiful humans can be to one another. It’s been such a beautiful experience in one of the worst times of my life.” – Jamie (122:37)
- John explains how charity car auction results can balloon due to tax write-offs and goodwill.
9. AI – The Existential, the Personal, and the Unnerving (104:34–112:49)
- John reveals his deep immersion in AI, describing how personalizing ChatGPT with your life story and business challenges can yield profound, often unsettlingly spot-on advice.
- Quote: “There is no reason for psychologists...this thing gives you the best damn advice you’ve ever heard in your life.” – John (106:04)
- The crew reflects on the implications: displacement of white-collar jobs, potential economic collapse, and the impossibility of stuffing this genie back in the bottle.
10. Humor: Gifts, Sales Guy Texts, and Small-Town Celebrity
- Christmas morning etiquette—unwelcome texts from salespeople, best friends vs. business acquaintances, and the importance of boundaries ("Christmas morning on text needs to be...noon, for sure. Just let everybody breathe.").
- John recounts a small-town trip where the mayor met him at the airport—blurring lines of local celebrity and the humility of small-town life.
- Ongoing teasing, bickering, and inside jokes between the team.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Family Christmas Chaos
- “Almost burned the house down. Had a slight flare-up on the grill.” – J.D. (03:03)
- “Your eyebrows look a little shorter today.” – Mike (03:22)
On Legacy and Classic Cars
- “You got anything good I want to buy?” – John (14:25)
- “I have cancer, so I’m trying to just play cars for as long as I can.” – Greg (15:00)
- "That’s a great idea." – Mike, on John’s pre-sale contract proposal (16:08)
On AI’s Impact
- “It gives you the best damn advice you’ve ever heard in your life. There is no reason for psychologists. Consultants.” – John (106:04)
- “This is more dangerous than nuclear weapons.” – John (111:25)
On Charity and Human Kindness
- “This has just shown me how beautiful humans can be to one another.” – Jamie (122:37)
- “They do get a car sometimes—the guy didn’t want the car, just wanted to give the money.” – John, on charity car auctions (122:27)
On Getting Old, Disability, and Vanity
- “I would not want to be seen like that...just disappear. I wouldn’t want to die, but I’d want to disappear for sure.” – John, on living with facial disfigurement (129:24–130:41)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Holiday Recap & Catastrophes: 01:28–04:50
- “Gay Rob” Story/Ex-Wife Banter: 04:34–09:25
- Classic Cars and End-of-Life Planning w/Caller Greg: 13:00–18:36
- Car Buying Lightning Round: 13:50, 25:24, 52:03, 124:59+
- Selling Family Projects & Land Disputes: 28:20–35:41
- Sports Bets & Boxing Talk: 39:00–44:33
- Jamie’s Cancer & Charity Corvette Story: 113:14–123:08
- AI, Business, and Existential Risks: 104:34–112:49
- Christmas Texts & Etiquette: 76:22–78:48
- Oklahoma Gun Safety Story: 137:55–139:05
Tone & Language
- Candid, fast-moving, and irreverent—the show's humor is direct, sometimes dark, and unapologetically blue-collar.
- Car expertise is dispensed with both authority and sarcasm; family stories are told with both irony and empathy.
- Occasional heartfelt, serious moments punctuate the humor, particularly when listeners call with real-life dilemmas or hardships.
Summary Wrap-Up
This episode exemplifies why "The John Clay Wolfe Show" maintains its edge: beneath the irreverence and car dealer bravado lies real insight, both into people’s relationships with cars and with each other. Whether teasing co-hosts, negotiating live deals, or wrestling with questions of legacy, illness, and technology, the show finds humanity—and humor—in every story.
For listeners who missed the episode: Expect unpredictable caller drama, car-market deep-dives, sports jokes, heartfelt moments, and new-year reflections, all unleashed with the show’s trademark blend of wit, candor, and car-business grit.