Summary of The Nateland Podcast Episode #233: "The New Year"
Release Date: January 1, 2025
Hosts:
- Nate Bargatze
- Brian Bates
- Aaron Weber
- Dusty Slay
1. Introduction and New Studio Seating
The episode opens with the hosts celebrating the New Year amidst some playful banter about their new studio setup. Brian Bates greets the audience with a cheerful "Happy New Year" alongside Dusty Slay and Aaron Weber.
- Brian Bates [00:12]: "Folks. And. Hey, Bear. Happy New Year."
- Dusty Slay [00:19]: "Happy new year."
They discuss the rearranged seating arrangement, with Aaron now positioned in the middle, providing everyone a better view and angle for the conversation.
- Aaron Weber [00:23]: "You know, to be honest with you, it's a little confusing. I. I'm not used to looking at everyone, you know, like here I sit off to the side."
- Dusty Slay [00:45]: "How does it feel? Do you feel like you're taking control of things now in the middle?"
2. New Year's Celebrations and Past Experiences
The conversation shifts to how each host celebrates the New Year. Dusty Slay reveals his disinterest in festive celebrations, highlighting his busy schedule during this time.
- Dusty Slay [01:35]: "Like, the last probably six or seven years, I've worked on New Year's, so I've had zero fun on New Year. It's one of my least favorite days of the year."
In contrast, Aaron Weber shares a nostalgic memory from 1999, recalling a memorable college party at Auburn University where he danced to Prince's "1999."
- Aaron Weber [02:17]: "Brian, in 1999, I was 17, and I went to a college party, and they were playing, you know, Prince's 'Tonight, I'm gonna party like it's 1999.' And it was this... I danced with this college girl for a while, and it was like the best New Year's, and I've been chasing that ever since."
3. Reflections on Touring and Past Shows
The hosts reminisce about their touring experiences and challenges faced during performances. Dusty Slay recounts a notable incident while touring with Bert Kreischer, where he maintained his sobriety despite peer pressure to drink.
- Dusty Slay [03:00]: "And I remember thinking, oh, man, Bert corrupted Dustin. He's been sober this long. He goes out on the road with Bert. Day one, night one, he's taking shots at the bar."
Aaron Weber shares his strategy of discreetly handling drinks during shows to maintain his commitment to sobriety.
- Aaron Weber [03:11]: "I just got a shot glass and I kept filling it up with water. And then whenever people would come over, I would go, yeah, and then I would do shots."
4. Podcast Dynamics and Format
The discussion moves to the dynamics of their podcast, exploring the possibility of co-hosting and maintaining consistency despite individual schedules.
- Aaron Weber [05:15]: "Maybe I can get you guys to co-host with me on the podcast."
- Dusty Slay [05:19]: "There you go. And we'll just do it in this studio, take down some of this Nate stuff."
Brian Bates emphasizes the professionalism of the group, highlighting their ability to keep the podcast entertaining without strict rules.
- Brian Bates [12:01]: "Does Nate have any rules that the guys have to follow during each podcast taping in order to keep the content Kent entertaining? What rules has the four of you discussed behind the scenes, or do you just go for it and hope for the best?"
- Brian Bates [12:20]: "All right, well, we're all professional comedians, so we just come on here and talk, and then by virtue of just being funny people, we make this a funny podcast."
5. Personal Journeys and Achievements
The hosts share updates on their personal and professional lives. Dusty Slay discusses his upcoming comedy special and recent performances, while Aaron Weber talks about his experiences as a new father and balancing family with his comedy career.
- Dusty Slay [26:00]: "Oh, I did some. Check it out on my Instagram... It was so long already."
- Aaron Weber [70:27]: "In our defense, do we ever really help you out with it?"
Brian Bates provides a chronological overview of significant events from their past year, including special releases, tours, and personal milestones.
6. Music, Comedy, and Cultural References
The conversation delves into various cultural topics, including favorite comedians, music preferences, and thoughts on popular TV shows and movies. They discuss the impact of streaming services on entertainment consumption and share hilarious anecdotes about live performances and audience interactions.
- Aaron Weber [74:12]: "My friend Jamie Johnson, he just put out an album. He hasn't put out an album in, like, 14 years. And it's a really great album."
- Dusty Slay [92:38]: "And then I looked at the reviews. It's like 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. Universally acclaimed by audiences and critics alike."
7. Predictions and Future Plans
Looking ahead, the hosts make lighthearted predictions about each other's careers and the future of their podcast. Brian Bates humorously predicts that Dusty Slay will regularly sell out clubs and achieve significant acclaim.
- Brian Bates [64:00]: "And I made this prediction a few years ago, but I'm gonna double down on it and say it again. You're gonna do your first late night set."
- Dusty Slay [64:02]: "Man, that sounds good."
Aaron Weber shares his excitement for upcoming shows and special projects, highlighting his dedication to expanding his comedy reach while maintaining family time.
- Aaron Weber [68:00]: "I'm gonna be at the Lyric Theater in Birmingham, Alabama. And then Pensacola, Florida, doing another theater, and I'm pumped about it."
8. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts
As the episode nears its end, the hosts reflect on their journey, express gratitude towards their listeners, and reiterate their optimism for the upcoming year.
- Brian Bates [116:20]: "We thank everyone who supported us in 2024. Thank you for sticking with us. It's going to be... Nate's gonna be shooting some movies in 2025."
- Dusty Slay [117:04]: "Nateland's experience. Yep, that's big."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Aaron Weber [02:27]: "None of them have ever lived up to it."
- Dusty Slay [04:15]: "Hand tied behind his back. I think that's fair to say."
- Brian Bates [06:25]: "Yeah, I could die in a funny way."
- Aaron Weber [09:28]: "I have these swales that I built. So now I want to put the leaves in there to start to compost."
- Dusty Slay [32:57]: "What genuinely is a comedian's comedian?"
- Brian Bates [51:00]: "It's a hot list. And now, listen, there's a lot of great songs that are not going to be on this list."
Conclusion
Episode #233 of The Nateland Podcast offers listeners an engaging and humorous journey through the hosts' personal experiences, professional endeavors, and lighthearted discussions about life, comedy, and the passage of time. With a blend of relatable anecdotes, insightful reflections, and comedic flair, the episode serves both as a nostalgic look back at the past year and an optimistic outlook for the adventures that lie ahead in 2025.
Note: Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments have been excluded from this summary to maintain focus on the core discussions and highlights of the episode.