Public Figures – Episode 2: Love
Podcast: Public Figures
Hosts: Brian Bates, Aaron Weber, Dusty Slay
Date: February 11, 2026
Episode Overview
In this Valentine's-themed episode, comedians Brian Bates, Aaron Weber, and Dusty Slay dig into the nature of love, nostalgia, and the things that have brought them joy over the years. They blend comic banter about romance and friendship with a creative walk through the decades—exploring the toys, TV shows, cars, and music that shaped their lives. There's plenty of playful ribbing, philosophical asides, and a countdown of country songs about loving stuff, making it a funny, rich, and reflective episode for new and long-time fans alike.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Upcoming Shows & Comedy Stories (01:28–04:33)
- Each comic shares where they'll be performing next (Arlington Draft House, Houston Improv, Traverse City/Saginaw MI).
- Dusty and Brian recall a surreal early-career show in Traverse City, MI, where they were lured to a restaurant with the promise of a free meal—only to be billed at the end.
Quote:
“On our way out of town, we show up, we get all this food… All right, here’s the bill; it’s like 50 bucks... I’d rather spend my money somewhere else.” - Brian Bates (04:08)
2. Cruise Fears & 'The Call of the Void' (05:37–07:31)
- The trio jokes about fake news headlines involving cruise ship mishaps.
- They discuss "the call of the void"—the bizarre urge to do something impulsive or dangerous, like jumping from a height or blurting out secrets.
Quote:
“They just imagine themselves jumping off and then they want to do it. It’s called the call of the void.” – Brian Bates (06:45) - Notable Laugh: Aaron admits to wanting to grab a cop’s gun in line, “...I want to grab it so bad. I’m like, I could. I could do this…” (06:53)
3. On Viral Kindness Videos & Filming Strangers (12:26–15:20)
- The group debates the ethics of recording good deeds or pranks on strangers.
Quote:
“But it’s like you just manipulated this guy and it’s like, just give him the money... You act like you want to help him, but you’re only helping for your own viral content.” – Dusty Slay (13:49) - Brian shares a story about a friend unwillingly featured in a "Walmart prank" video while having a rough day (14:34).
4. Pet Peeves: Public Spaces & Headphones (15:51–18:55)
- Everyone vents about people blocking moving walkways and escalators—especially when lost in headphones.
Quote:
“I think headphones are a net bad for society. We need you in the world. Come join us!” – Brian Bates (16:43–16:55) - Dusty: “Noise cancelling headphones where you can’t hear anything—you are completely removed.” (17:47)
5. Audience Engagement & Comments Section (24:21–47:48)
- Reading and riffing on listener comments, including stories of Dusty singing in airports (27:49), misheard song lyrics, and “What do you do when you lose your voice as a comic?” (39:53).
- Dusty endorses “throat coat” lozenges as a lifesaver for performers (41:27).
- Impersonations: The comedians do friendly (and intentionally bad) impressions of one another, poking fun at their on-stage personas (46:00–47:48).
Memorable Moment:
“Well, Dusty, I could do, like… ‘I listen to his podcast every week. Welcome to work…’” – Aaron’s take on Dusty - Philosophical asides: Ship of Theseus, correlation vs. causation (28:55–51:08).
6. Main Topic: LOVE (56:30–68:18)
Types of Love: Greek & Modern (60:22–68:18)
- Aaron gives a rundown on the classic Greek definitions of love (agape, eros, philia, storge, etc.) and how they compare to modern psychology's categories (e.g., non-love, infatuation, empty love, consummate love).
- Memorable Exchange:
- “Agape is unconditional, selfless love for everyone and everything.” – Aaron Weber (61:08)
- “Is it possible to have agape love as a human? Can you have agape love for other people?” – Brian Bates (62:03)
- Dusty: “No chance.”
- Memorable Exchange:
The Five Love Languages (68:18–72:28)
- Quick summary: acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch.
- Self-aware joking about which love language suits each host.
- “When I was younger, physical touch. Now I just want a nice word… and don’t touch me, actually.” – Aaron Weber (70:51)
- Brian and Dusty riff on “kids walking on your back” as expressions of love.
7. A Decade-by-Decade Tour of the Things They Loved (72:45–111:01)
Format: Each host picks favorite TOY, TV SHOW, CAR, and MUSIC for each decade of their adulthood.
(Timestamps per segment: 73:25, 78:36, 83:13, 89:03, 92:03, 94:35, 95:36, 96:55, 103:46, etc.)
1990s
- Toys: Brian – bike with pegs; Dusty – G.I. Joes (deep dive! 75:23–78:14); Aaron – golf clubs
- TV: Aaron – Seinfeld; Brian – Hey Arnold!; Dusty – torn between Fresh Prince, Family Matters, and more
- Cars: Aaron – Ford Probe, Brian – Toyota Previa minivan; Dusty – 1989 Ford Bronco, then a Saturn
- Music: Aaron – George Strait; Brian – Boyz II Men (“Evolution” album); Dusty – early: Hank Jr., later: 90s alternative like Matchbox 20, Live, Creed
2000s
- Toys: Aaron – Titans season tickets; Brian – drum set; Dusty – horseshoes or a good cooler
- TV: Aaron – The Office; Brian – The West Wing; Dusty – none (barely watched TV, maybe started Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives)
- Music: Aaron – Coldplay; Brian – John Mayer, especially the live album; Dusty – Radiohead, Kings of Leon, The Killers
2010s
- Toys: Aaron – iPhone; Brian – laptop; Dusty – bicycle (quitting drinking, big lifestyle change)
- TV: Aaron & Brian – Breaking Bad; Dusty – Portlandia (prefers comedies)
- Cars: Aaron – Honda Accord; Brian – Toyota Tacoma (first car); Dusty – Volvo S60 (favorite car ever, 317k miles)
- Music: Aaron – Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey”; Brian – Tedeschi Trucks; Dusty – Chris Stapleton “Traveller,” Sturgill Simpson
2020s
- Toys: Aaron – telescope; Brian – outdoor fridge; Dusty – outdoor heater (for winter cigar smoking)
- TV: Aaron – Succession; Brian – Mindhunter; Dusty – AP Bio (season 1)
- Cars: Aaron – same Honda Accord (bought 2012, 200k+ miles); Brian – Chrysler minivan; Dusty – 2018 Toyota Tacoma
- Discussion of sentimentality for old cars and houses (112:26)
Memorable Quote on Getting Older and Loving Stuff
“As men get older, they become more and more sentimental about that kind of stuff.” – Brian Bates (112:45)
8. Country Songs About Loving Stuff (113:23–115:12)
Dusty’s ranking of non-romantic 'love' songs:
- “I Love a Rainy Night” – Eddie Rabbitt
- “I Love” – Tom T. Hall
- “I Love This Bar” – Toby Keith
- “Stuff That Works” – Guy Clark (#1: “Stuff that holds, stuff that I'll never let you down...”)
- Plus: “I’m Gonna Miss Her” (Brad Paisley) for loving fishing more than a woman
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- “We just got invited to somebody’s restaurant, show up, and get billed. I’m like, I’ll probably never come back.” – Brian Bates (04:08)
- “The call of the void—you ever just wanna… jump off something tall? That’s an actual thing.” – Brian Bates (06:45)
- “I want to hug from my wife. I think she’d like me to clean up the house.” – Dusty Slay (70:05)
- “Is it possible to have agape love as a human?... No chance.” – Brian & Dusty (62:03)
- “My Toyota Previa—the ugliest car in history.” – Dusty Slay (85:19)
- “I used to deliver pizza in that car... and they’d come meet me at the pizza place, and we’d drive around and deliver pizzas.” – Dusty Slay (87:53)
Episode Highlights by Segment
00:30–05:01 – Show Banter & Standup Stories
05:37–08:08 – Cruise Fears, Family, and Paranoia
12:26–15:51 – Viral Video Ethics
16:43–18:55 – Headphone & Walkway Rants
24:21–47:48 – Listener Comments, Inside Jokes, Impressions
56:30–68:18 – What is Love? Philosophical and Practical Takes
72:45–111:01 – Decade-by-Decade: Toys, TV, Cars, Songs
113:23–115:12 – Dusty’s Country ‘Stuff Love’ Song Ranking
Closing Thoughts
This episode captures the heart and humor of three longtime friends reflecting on love—in its many forms: philosophical, nostalgic, and just plain silly. Whether they’re rehashing awkward childhood moments, debating the ethics of public pranking, or reminiscing about their favorite toys and cars, the hosts keep the conversation warm, relatable, and effortlessly funny.
Memorable Wrap-up:
“All ends come to it at the window.” – Brian Bates (117:34
“Have a great Valentine’s." – Aaron Weber (117:45)
For Listeners
- Submit a short video about something you loved in a particular decade—your story might be shared on a future episode!
- Catch the guys live; upcoming tour dates shared near the end (117:48).
Public Figures Podcast – Episode 2: A warm, witty, deeply nostalgic ride through the loves and laughs that make a life.