Public Figures Podcast – Episode 11: Taxes with Andrew Stanley
Release Date: April 15, 2026
Hosts: Brian Bates, Aaron Weber, Dusty Slay
Special Guest: Andrew Stanley
Overview
This special “Tax Day” episode dives into the world of taxes—past and present. With comedian (and former finance major) Andrew Stanley as guest, the crew brings their classic blend of tongue-in-cheek humor, sharp observations, and personal anecdotes. They reminisce about awkward corporate gigs, the realities of being a comic with “real world” jobs, and the quirks—and frustrations—of the American tax system. Listeners can expect both laughs and surprising insights, from ancient Egypt’s grain taxes to why comedy isn’t a money maker when it comes to tax breaks.
Noteworthy Quips & Moments
- “The CEO got on stage and just goes, and now one of our former budget analysts, Andrew Stanley.” — Andrew Stanley [01:34], on worst gig intros.
- “We raised a lot of money, unfortunately”—Brian Bates, riffing on accidentally doing a gig for “Youth Against Christ” [24:30].
- “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.” — Dr. Charles Stanley’s catchphrase, discussed and riffed [09:39].
- “If you get kicked out [from Augusta], I will kill you because I will lose my ability to go every year.” — Brian Bates [27:03], on the high stakes of golf’s Masters passes.
- “If you were the president, what do we tax?” “Nothing.”—Nate Land & Dusty Slay [77:56], on the spirit of the commune.
- “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. We’re all scratching.”—Andrew Stanley, discussing a toll-based, community-driven tax system [79:54].
Key Discussion Sections
1. Intros & Comedy Life
[00:43–06:54]
- Guest Intro: Andrew Stanley, whose preacher family background and failed corporate intros spark fun debate about bad introductions.
- Awkward Stage Moments: Andrew’s story about being introduced only as a “former budget analyst” and forced to self-biograph on stage.
- Family Talks: Discussing his preacher father and grandfather, and poking fun at church humor and family dynamics.
2. Stand-Up Stories & Personal Anecdotes
[06:54–14:54]
- Family Quirks: Brian shares about being raised to “show honor” by standing for women at the dinner table.
- TV Surprises: The oddity of seeing both his minister father and (late) grandfather pop up on late-night TV.
- Signature Phrases: Comics sharing how personal catchphrases develop (“we’re having a good time,” “hold the eye”), including the origin of Dusty’s “wave” on stage.
3. Listener Comments and Banter
[32:32–66:15]
- Podcast “Live Laugh Track”: Some listeners love the added studio laughter (“It accentuates the quips from Brian” — DJ Def Jeff [35:50]), while others, like Dustin Boger, want less off-camera input.
- Origin of Dusty’s Newborn’s Name: Dusty reveals baby’s name (Sonny Race) and debunks conspiracy that he’s faking having a kid to get free meals [41:41; 30:18].
- Audience Engagement: The team riffs on favorite podcast segments, handling tricky names from mail, and the culture shock of travel—like Nate walking from Rochester airport to his hotel [19:03].
4. “Tax Day” Segment: Facts, Frustrations & Philosophical Tangents
[66:15–101:02]
- Taxes Through History: Egypt’s grain taxes, Caesar’s sales tax, the origins of “in the black/red” [75:12; 98:47].
- Comedian vs. Accountant: Andrew (finance major) and Brian (winner of “South’s Funniest Accountant,” [68:14]) confess how minimal their accounting prowess actually is.
- America’s Tax System Oddities:
- Why are taxes so complicated?
- Is the difficulty a plot by accountants to stay in work? (AI like ChatGPT encroaching! [96:47])
- The absurdity of US income tax: “We know what you owe, but you guess—and if you’re wrong, you go to jail.” [92:07]
- Philosophy of Taxation: Dusty’s utopian commune (no taxes, just cooperation/tolls), Andrew’s idea of only sales tax, and the reality of states with/without income tax.
5. Taxes and Showbiz: Deductions & Dilemmas
[94:13–99:55]
- Wild Deductions: From breast implants (as “business equipment”) to clarinet lessons for orthodontics.
- Taxing Touring Comics: “Jock tax” for out-of-state performers, “merch tax” (even when you sell only one CD!) [88:18; 89:19].
- Audience Philosophy: Should you try to “break even” on your taxes or overpay to avoid underpay penalties? [102:42]
6. Celebrity Tax Scandals
[106:12–110:06]
- Wesley Snipes, Pete Rose, Willie Nelson: Stories of famous people going to jail or losing assets for tax evasion.
- Willie Nelson’s “the IRS Tapes” album and discussion of favorite Willie songs.
7. On the Road: Touring & Hotels
[19:03–21:43; 45:07–47:17]
- Stories about walking from airports, hotel quirks (like the Drury Hotel—“upper mid scale”), and booking mishaps between multiple Grand Rapids.
8. Listener Questions & Random Facts
Various
- Why are red pens “aggressive” in grading? [100:10]
- Fun listener comments about babies, names, and regional differences in naming conventions [49:05].
9. Upcoming Shows & Plugs
[115:03–119:56]
- Where to catch everyone live—from Foxworthy’s special taping to Comedy Fest events.
- Shoutouts to books (“We’re Having a Good Time” by Dusty) and Nathans’s “Big Dumb Eyes” tour.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Worst Introduction Story (Andrew Stanley): [01:34]
- Origin of Dusty’s “Wave”: [11:01]
- Family Standing at Table Story: [07:11]
- Nateland News & Autism Podcast Promo: [16:26]
- Discussion of Walking from Airport: [19:03]
- Risky Scallops in Minnesota: [22:34]
- Golf at the Masters / Augusta Rules: [26:31]
- Taxes in Ancient Egypt: [75:12]
- Philosophy of Taxation Commences: [77:56]
- Jock Tax & Weird Deductions: [88:18, 95:02]
- Celebrity Tax Evaders: [106:12]
- Origin of Black/Red for Profits/Loss: [98:47]
- Red Ink Anxiety: [100:10]
- Listener Comments Section Starts: [32:32]
- Tour Dates & Outro: [115:03]
Classic Quotes
- “No, I don’t need this money. I’m not going to do this gig … But I did. I needed it.” — Andrew Stanley, on performing for an old company that fired him. [04:13]
- “I just think we have too much government. It’s not that there’s not a need for some. We have too much.”—Dusty Slay, about the tax code and government size. [83:26]
- “If you get caught peeing in a bush [at Augusta], they’ll have a hand on your shoulder before you...” — Brian Bates, on Masters Golf Tournament rules. [28:04]
- “The nice thing is, [the government] is super transparent about it. You know where every dollar goes.” — Andrew Stanley, dripping with sarcasm. [67:05]
Tone & Style
The conversation is classic “Public Figures”: self-deprecating, sarcastic, warm, and accessible—even the tax talk is approachable and full of banter. The group relishes poking fun at themselves and the absurdities of life both as comedians and as regular citizens dealing with the same bureaucratic headaches as everyone else.
For the Listener
If you missed this episode, you bypassed a surprisingly fun, info-packed debate on taxes—past and present—along with stories from the trenches of travel, comedy, and corporate drudgery. You’ll come away with laughs, a bit of trivia, and strong opinions on the right way to introduce an accountant. More than anything, you’ll be reminded: everybody’s just trying to figure it out, even the South’s Funniest Accountant.
