Public Figures Podcast Episode 12 | “Mississippi,” with Landon Bryant
Date: April 22, 2026
Hosts: Brian Bates, Aaron Weber, Dusty Slay
Guest: Landon Bryant
Episode Overview
This week's episode of Public Figures welcomes special guest Landon Bryant—a Mississippi native, viral internet storyteller, and former Teacher of the Year. The crew dives deep into Mississippi’s quirks, history, culture, and identity, weaving Landon’s stories with their trademark blend of Southern wit and playful sarcasm. They also catch up on comedy festivals, oddball food challenges, childhood memories, and Mississippi’s hidden gems.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Nashville Comedy Scene Recap & Comic Adventures
(00:42–10:43)
- The hosts recount their experiences at the Nashville Comedy Festival, discussing show schedules, celebrity encounters at a Michael J. Fox charity event (including meeting Michael J. Fox and seeing Eric Church), and the confusion around set lengths.
- “I showed up. My name’s not on any of the flyers... I just jump in a picture. I go, 'Hey, I’m on the show. Let me in.'” — Dusty Slay (03:02)
- Reflects on the energy in Nashville’s comedic landscape and side gigs, including Dusty’s live "Consumers Podcast" taping and Brian's trip to McAllen, Texas with Angela Johnson.
2. Food, Country Culture, and Oddball Challenges
(10:51–17:21)
- The team discusses southern food rituals—Hardee’s, chili dogs, hot dogs at ballparks (“999 challenge”: 9 innings, 9 beers, 9 hot dogs during a baseball game).
- “What is disgusting? Just the whole thing. For me to think about consuming that much out in the hot.” — Brian Bates (15:40)
- Humorous takes on the health effects of these traditions.
3. Riffing on Taxes, Small Town Politics, and Community Movements
(11:16–13:36, 25:15–27:46)
- Brian revisits a rural “Keep It Country” rally aimed at fighting land development and keeping agricultural traditions.
- Engages in listener comments about property tax and how taxes are collected, with tongue-in-cheek economic theories thrown in.
- “Property tax is the most insane thing that I’ve ever seen... you don’t own something if they can take it from you.” — Aaron Weber (27:43)
4. Viral Moments: The Moon Landing Debate
(28:01–33:41)
- Dusty and Aaron rekindle the recurring argument about why stars aren’t visible in moon landing photographs, poking fun at conspiracy theories and photographic explanations.
- “When I look up in the sky, I see lots of stars, right? But the sky is in space and you don’t see any. Why? Why is that?” — Aaron Weber (29:37)
- Classic example of the podcast’s playful, pseudo-serious conspiracy discourse.
5. Riffs, Reviews, and Community Interaction
(21:01–41:11)
- Hosts read and riff off listener comments from Twitter, YouTube, and more, with running jokes about podcast formats, thumbnail controversies, and fan feedback.
- “Caleb Wilson: We get a free two-hour podcast every week. It’s always funny and entertaining. It is clear that you all care a lot about the fans and for that I am very thankful.” (23:01)
- “Well, Caleb. Come on, Caleb. What do you know? ...An idiot.” — Aaron Weber (23:25)
- Contemplate ideas like Dusty doing children’s book reviews, demonstrating the show’s interactive format.
6. Introduction of Guest: Landon Bryant & His Mississippi Roots
(47:09–55:29)
-
Landon recounts his first-ever stand-up gig (with Brian) in Columbia, TN—and how he went viral sharing tales of attending “Walmart High School” (after a tornado destroyed his original school).
- “I literally went to Walmart for high school... They built a plywood cubicle maze in that Walmart... So we went to— I literally went to Walmart High School.” — Landon Bryant (55:22)
-
Anecdotes about learning environments, tornadoes in Mississippi, local humor, and collabing with the National Weather Service after “getting in trouble” for cavalier tornado advice.
7. True Mississippi: Culture, Food, Language, and Identity
(67:05–113:41)
History, Small Towns, and “Keep It Country”
- Reflections on what makes Mississippi unique—local slang, “fixin’ to” and “finna,” rural customs, and why Mississippians love sitting on porches and taking life slow.
Mississippi’s Cultural & Pop Legacy
- List of celebrities from Mississippi: Elvis (Tupelo), Oprah, Jerry Rice, Walter Payton, Britney Spears, Jim Henson, B.B. King, Morgan Freeman, and more.
- Discussion of the state’s remarkable improvement in educational outcomes (“The Mississippi Miracle”):
- “We just started teaching phonics again... and it immediately skyrocketed the whole situation. And we did it with the least, the lowest paid teachers... it was all just scraping and scrapping.” — Landon Bryant (83:29)
Music, Football, and Traditions
- Explains the “Egg Bowl” rivalry (Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State), origins of cowbells at games (“State was an agricultural school... be ready if you’re going to a Mississippi state game—they’re gonna be ringing those cowbells the whole time.” — Landon Bryant [89:44])
- Trivia about universities, mascots, and naming quirks.
- Discussion of comeback sauce, Mississippi mud pie, and other regional culinary creations.
Classic Southern Upbringing
- The “crooked letter, humpback” mnemonic for spelling Mississippi.
- “Backyard football” counted in “one Mississippi, two Mississippi...”
- Porch culture and deep pride in local roots:
- “If you love, like, sitting on a porch, like, if that's enough for you to sit on a porch and, like, enjoy the sunset and enjoy the pine trees... Mississippi's place for you... it's a place to be proud.” — Landon Bryant (112:41)
8. Landon’s Comedy Career and Opry Debut
(107:14–112:39)
- Upcoming milestones: performing at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, prepping his first official Opry set, and excitement for family and friends to witness his stand-up career.
- Reflects on transitioning from public school teaching to sharing stories and comedy on bigger stages and the internet.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Michael J. Fox:
- “I grew up really only knowing him as an advocate for Parkinson’s research, because I didn’t. I’m not old enough. ...I watched it knowing he would later become what he is today.” — Aaron Weber (06:02)
- On Moon Landing Photos:
- “When I look up in the sky, I see lots of stars, right? But the sky is in space and you don’t see any. Why? Why is that?” — Aaron Weber (29:37)
- On Walmart High School:
- “Our principals greeted us wearing Walmart vests every day. They loved that joke. And then they continued that for the rest of the school year.” — Landon Bryant (55:51)
- On Comeback Sauce:
- “Comeback sauce... that's us... I know everywhere had comeback sauce... but yeah, like magic going on.” — Landon Bryant (99:40)
- On Mississippi’s Pace:
- “If you don’t want to have much going on and just enjoy life in a very slow pace, I think I’ll always be—that’ll always be my home base, because that’s what I imagine when I think of, like, what life is like.” — Landon Bryant (112:41)
- On Overcoming Cringe as a Local Celebrity:
- “We have to climb that cringe hill. ...It’s so cringey to think about the people that know you... but once you climb the hill, then it’s not cringey anymore. And you just totally stop caring.” — Landon Bryant (106:15)
Mississippi Fast Facts & Oddities (as discussed)
- Largest city and capital: Jackson (68:29)
- Famous for: football, music (Elvis, B.B. King), and unique foods (mud pie, comeback sauce)
- Education: Drastic improvement in literacy via phonics in the last decade (“The Mississippi Miracle”)
- No major comedy clubs; most gigs are theaters or churches (104:01)
- Iconic sporting traditions: “Egg Bowl” (Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State), cowbells, unique mascot history (black bear, land shark, failed Admiral Ackbar attempt)
Important Timestamps
- Comedy Festival & Michael J. Fox Story: 01:42–07:01
- “Keep It Country” Movement: 11:16–13:36
- Moon Landing Debate: 28:01–33:41
- Listener Comments Section: 21:01–41:11
- Introduction of Guest (Landon Bryant): 47:09
- Walmart High School Story: 55:06–58:50
- Mississippi Deep Dive (Culture and Trivia): 67:05–90:21
- Comeback Sauce Discussion: 99:40
- Landon on the Opry & Closing: 107:14–112:39
Guest Closing Thoughts: The Heart of Mississippi
(113:41)
“I just. I love it there. I love Mississippi. It’s a great place. If you love, like, nature, if you love, like, sitting on a porch, like, if that’s enough for you... that’ll always be my home base... that is what life is.” — Landon Bryant
Where to Find More
- Landon Bryant: @landontalks and landontalks.com
Upcoming Shows:
- Landon at the Grand Ole Opry
- Aaron Weber, Dusty Slay, and Brian Bates—tour dates at their respective comedy sites
“Public Figures” delivers another episode loaded with clever Southern humor, heartwarming stories, and an offbeat but affectionate portrait of Mississippi. Landon Bryant’s journey—from Walmart High School to education reform advocate to viral comic and Opry performer—encapsulates the state’s mix of grit, resilience, and charm.
