Interrupted by Matt Jones – Episode 25: "Mailbag"

Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Matt Jones
Co-Host: Billy
Podcast: Kentucky Sports Radio on NewsRadio 840 WHAS

Episode Overview

This special mailbag episode, prompted by a postponed guest interview, features Matt Jones and co-host Billy fielding listener-submitted questions on politics, news, culture, and personal life—except UK sports. Matt explicitly drew inspiration from Bill Simmons’ classic mailbag format and emphasized the episode’s “double filter” by him and Billy. The candid and wide-ranging discussion is peppered with witty banter, political sharpness, and Matt’s typical Kentucky sensibility.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Epstein List and Public Perception ([05:04] – [12:43])

• Listener Question: What do you make of the Epstein list and all of that mess?
• Matt's Take:
  • Skeptical the Epstein list will contain high-profile "smoking gun" evidence on Trump or Clinton.
  • Points out the bipartisan resistance to releasing the files adds to suspicion.
  • Suggests if truly damning information existed, it likely would have surfaced already.
  • “The rush to not put these out has been absolutely bizarre to me.” ([05:27] – Matt Jones)
  • Predicts the release will be heavily redacted, embarrassing for some powerful people, but not earth-shattering.
  • Politicians like Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna deserve credit for pushing for transparency.

2. Most Concerning Recent News ([12:43] – [17:09])

• Listener Question: What piece of news have you seen recently that you found most concerning?
• Matt's Take:
  • Trump’s corruption is “on a scale unlike anyone in history,” especially regarding money and influence (e.g., Saudi investments, cryptocurrency pardons).
  • “We will look back on this as the worst money corruption presidency of all time.” ([14:06] – Matt Jones)
  • Expresses frustration that the public seems numb or indifferent to high-profile corruption.

3. Major Reforms: Gerrymandering, Citizens United, Nonpartisan Primaries ([17:17] – [23:55])

• Listener Question: If you could pick one, would you end gerrymandering, overturn Citizens United, or mandate nonpartisan primaries?
• Matt's Take:
  • Ending gerrymandering seen as the biggest fix—would lead to more moderate, competitive elections.
  • “If you want more moderates in office, get rid of gerrymandering.” ([22:58] – Matt Jones)
  • Explains mechanics and importance of fair districting, and why money is less of a kingmaker in the era of viral media.

4. Future of the MAGA Movement Post-Trump ([23:55] – [28:08])

• Listener Question: Will we be able to move on from the MAGA movement after Trump?
• Matt's Take:
  • MAGA will persist, but tone might soften without Trump; “it won’t be as mean” ([24:05])
  • Notes Trump imitators (e.g., Kari Lake, Dr. Oz) lose elections, while moderates win.
  • Expresses hope that post-Trump politics become less "trolling" and mean-spirited.
  • Reflects on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s recent apology as a possible shift.

5. Economic Future of Southeastern Kentucky ([28:55] – [32:14])

• Listener Question: What are your overall thoughts on the economic future of southeastern Kentucky?
• Matt's Take:
  • Remote work and digitization are small beams of hope, lessening the impact of lacking physical infrastructure.
  • Stress on moving past dependence on coal; blue-collar jobs are declining everywhere.
  • Laments lost opportunities, e.g., failed solar initiatives: “A huge mistake.” ([30:55])
  • Emphasizes need for education and openness to new economic models.

6. Solutions for U.S. Health Care ([32:14] – [36:48])

• Listener Question: What would your solution be for our health care in the United States?
• Matt's Take:
  • Advocates for some form of universal or government-backed basic health care.
  • “There’s a growing consensus on the right and the left... that we’re spending way too much trying to help rich people.” ([35:26])
  • Draws analogy to public education: public baseline, options for private premium services.
  • Cites growing frustration with insurance and corporate profits in the system.

7. Learning to Cook: A Personal Challenge ([36:52] – [40:15])

• Listener Question: How is learning how to cook going?
• Matt's Take:
  • “Not well.” ([36:57])—admits lack of progress, trouble with basics, time investment, and desire for in-person instruction.
  • Billy suggests YouTube; Matt says he needs a teacher, not just videos.
  • Matt can make pasta and basic grilled food but wants to improve.

8. Advice for Young Emerging Leaders ([40:15] – [44:36])

• Listener Question: What advice would you give a young emerging leader?
• Matt's Take:
  • Encourages versatility: “Try everything once, especially when you’re in your 20s.” ([40:26])
  • Warns against single-track career planning due to rapid changes (AI replacing programmers/lawyers).
  • Interesting exchange about how AI misidentifies his marital status online—a parable about technology’s imperfections.

9. Being a UK Fan at Duke ([44:38] – [48:39])

• Listener Question: How was it going to Duke as a UK fan?
• Matt's Take:
  • “Easy. They don't really care about UK.”
  • He wore UK gear, openly rooted against Duke, but felt more hostility would have occurred if roles reversed.
  • Reminisces about cheering for Maryland, storming the floor after North Carolina’s win, and a humorous anecdote about Shane Battier.

10. Trump and Saudi Arabia ([48:44] – [51:33])

• Listener Question: Thoughts on Trump’s relationship with Saudi Arabia.
• Matt's Take:
  • Sees the relationship as “corrupt,” motivated by personal gain.
  • Acknowledges moral gray areas: potential for peace, vital oil partnerships, but says Trump acts out of self-interest not global good.
  • “They killed, and not just killed, a journalist — killed an American.” ([51:01])

11. Movies Too Hyped to Watch ([51:41] – [55:28])

• Listener Question: What's one movie you refuse to watch because it's been hyped up too much?
• Matt's Take:
  • Tombstone. Refuses to watch because of relentless pressure from others.
  • Has also never seen Lord of the Rings, despite interest.

12. Dating While Being a Public Figure ([55:28] – end)

• Listener Question: Is it hard dating as a popular public figure?
• Matt's Take:
  • “Yeah. Because people are in your business.” ([55:46])
  • Prefers dating people who don’t know him at first; dislikes being a “zoo animal” in public.
  • Discusses the awkwardness of dating on camera (Netflix experience), dealing with rumors, and how in Kentucky it’s unusual to be unmarried at his age.
  • Jokes about needing to “switch teams” as a running gag with Billy, but concludes: “I think I’m on the correct team. Nothing against the other team... it’s just not my team.” ([60:00])

Notable Quotes

• On the Epstein List:
  “The absence of information, silence leads to the void being filled with rumor. And I don't know that there's ever been a story in history that has shown this more than the Epstein [file].” ([05:27])
• On Political Corruption:
  “We will look back on this as the worst money corruption presidency of all time.” ([14:06])
• On Gerrymandering:
  “If you want more moderates in office, get rid of gerrymandering.” ([22:58])
• On Political Meanness Post-Trump:
  “I'm hoping that the meanness he brings... I'm hoping that goes away, or at least people move away from it, because it's not success.” ([24:52])
• On Kentucky’s Economic Future:
  “We have to move beyond... the idea that we're waiting for coal to come back. That’s not going to get us anywhere.” ([29:18])
• On Health Care Reform:
  “All of our policies are geared towards people getting rich. They're not geared towards the general public.” ([35:26])
• On Personal Growth for Leaders:
  “Try everything once, especially when you’re in your 20s. Don’t be afraid to fail.” ([40:26])
• On Public Figure Dating Woes:
  “It’s hard to sign a woman up for that... because you go somewhere and everybody’s looking at you.” ([57:12])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Epstein List & Transparency: [05:04] – [12:43]
• Most Troubling News (Corruption): [12:43] – [17:09]
• Debate: Gerrymandering vs. Citizens United: [17:17] – [23:55]
• Future of MAGA Movement: [23:55] – [28:08]
• Southeastern Kentucky Economic Outlook: [28:55] – [32:14]
• Health Care Solutions: [32:14] – [36:48]
• Cooking Skills & Learning: [36:52] – [40:15]
• Leadership Advice: [40:15] – [44:36]
• Being a UK Fan at Duke: [44:38] – [48:39]
• Trump & Saudi Arabia: [48:44] – [51:33]
• Movies Too Hyped to Watch: [51:41] – [55:28]
• Dating as a Public Figure: [55:28] – end

Memorable Moments

• Matt relishing the irony of AI repeatedly getting his personal life wrong, including “marrying” him to at least three different women online. ([42:45])
• Discussion of culinary failures and desire for an in-person cooking mentor, not just YouTube. ([36:57])
• Playful banter about Tombstone and the generational divide: “You've never heard of Tombstone? Pizza, yeah.” ([52:16])
• Candid talk about the awkwardness (and oddity) of being on a Netflix date with cameras and the infamous “cake” moment. ([57:36])

Tone & Style

The episode is delivered with Matt’s signature blend of Kentucky wit, political sharpness, and open-hearted honesty. He and Billy bounce between serious national topics and good-natured, personal confessions, keeping the atmosphere conversational and relatable, yet never shying away from critique or introspection.

Summary prepared for listeners who want the insights and flavor of the episode without the time investment.