Podcast Summary: The Nateland Podcast Episode #252 – "The Army featuring Greg Warren"

Release Date: May 14, 2025
Hosts: Brian Bates, Dusty Slay, Aaron Weber, and Greg Warren
Guest: Greg Warren

Introduction

In Episode #252 of The Nateland Podcast, titled "The Army featuring Greg Warren," hosts Brian Bates, Dusty Slay, Aaron Weber, and their guest Greg Warren delve into a mix of personal anecdotes, updates on their careers, upcoming events, and discussions surrounding military experiences. The episode weaves humor with heartfelt moments, providing listeners with an engaging and relatable conversation.

Key Updates and Announcements

Nate Bargatze’s New Endeavors:

• Brian Bates begins by sharing exciting news about Nate Bargatze’s latest projects. Nate has launched his book, Big Dumb Eyes, which has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. His tour has already broken attendance records in Duluth, Minnesota, leading to an additional show being added in Denver for September. Moreover, Nate is venturing into acting with his first feature film, The Breadwinner, produced by Columbia Tristar, where he stars opposite Mandy Moore.

  Brian Bates [03:10]: "His tour kicked off in Duluth, Minnesota. Already broke the attendance record. We'll talk about that a little bit more."

Merchandise Drops:

• The hosts announce the release of new Nateland merchandise available on their website.

  Brian Bates [03:18]: "Some Nateland merch is dropped. Now available@NateBargetzi.com just click shop at the top."

Upcoming Shows:

• Dusty Slay promotes his upcoming show in New York City on May 17th at the Town Hall, marking his first official performance in the city. Additionally, season three of Nateland Presents is set to take place in Nashville from June 22nd to 24th, with tickets now on sale.

  Dusty Slay [04:48]: "I have a show this weekend on Saturday, May 17, New York City, the town hall. I need people to go."

• Greg Warren shares his participation in Nate’s tour supporting Big Dumb Eyes, highlighting the massive turnout and the inclusion of fellow comedians like Stephen Rogers, Keith Alberstadt, and Julie McCullough.

  Greg Warren [28:34]: "It's so polished and it was just fun to watch him every night."

• Aaron Weber announces his second comedy special, The Champs, premiering on May 16th on the Nateland YouTube channel.

  Brian Bates [06:02]: "But the biggest news of the day, Greg Warren's brand new hour special, the Champ premieres this Friday, May 16th on the Nateland YouTube channel."

Personal Anecdotes and Experiences

Brian Bates’ Weekend Activities:

• Brian recounts his busy weekend filled with charity fundraisers in McMinnville, Tennessee, Lebanon, Tennessee, and Madisonville, Kentucky. He humorously shares an incident where he was chased by street thugs at a birthday party, causing both amusement and concern among listeners.

  Brian Bates [15:26]: "And it wasn't fun. They came out, there's them chasing. There's Dusty there. Not doing anything to help."

Aaron Weber’s Flat Tire Mishap:

• Aaron narrates a distressing experience where he drove on a flat tire during heavy rain, leading to significant vehicle damage and a delayed tow. This story highlights the unpredictability of life and the importance of responsible driving.

  Aaron Weber [08:55]: "I can't understand why bad smell baits wouldn't let Dusty set some traps. Sounds like Dusty's not only the wisest one, but also the best friend of the bunch."

Dusty Slay’s Military Aspirations and Arrest:

• Dusty shares his brief stint with the Army, where he intended to become a chef but was arrested before completing his service. This led to significant personal challenges, including probation and suspended licenses, offering a candid glimpse into his past struggles.

  Dusty Slay [73:08]: "But I did join it. Took the physical. But I got arrested before I got to go in."

Greg Warren’s Comedy Journey:

• Greg discusses his journey in comedy, including his participation in high-profile shows and the development of his comedic style. He emphasizes the camaraderie among comedians and the challenges of performing in large venues.

  Greg Warren [28:22]: "It was my first official show at the town hall. So I'm talking about it not being sold well. But to me, I'm excited that the amount of tickets that we've sold already, that we've sold them because you know, who would ever thought I'd be doing a theater in New York City?"

Discussions on the Military and Comedy Industry

Military Experiences:

• The hosts delve into their experiences with the military, discussing the rigors of training, the challenges of balancing personal aspirations with service obligations, and the impact of military discipline on their lives.

  Aaron Weber [82:46]: "I went through the whole plebe year, the whole freshman year... you have to stand at attention, inspect uniforms, quiz on news, and maintain discipline."

• Dusty and Aaron share their contrasting paths in the military, with Dusty intending to become a chef and Aaron attending West Point before deciding to pursue comedy instead of a military career.

  Dusty Slay [74:43]: "I was going to be a cook... then I got arrested."

  Aaron Weber [81:36]: "I spent the first year of college at the United States Military Academy at West Point. It was the most difficult thing I've ever done."

Comedy and Industry Insights:

• The conversation touches upon the challenges comedians face in the industry, such as building a reputation, managing finances, and the influence of the internet on gaining exposure. They critique the music industry’s control over radio play, drawing parallels to the comedy scene’s struggles for visibility.

  Dusty Slay [62:42]: "The Internet has really opened it up for people to make their own way... But comedy is not the same as music. They really have a stranglehold on music."

• Brian shares his view on the authenticity of the army recruitment slogans and their evolution over the years, blending humor with critique.

  Brian Bates [109:35]: "Army strong. Still not be good. Yeah."

Notable Quotes with Speaker Attribution and Timestamps

• Greg Warren [12:00]: "You may go first."
• Aaron Weber [06:17]: "My special, like a real special. Not just some."
• Dusty Slay [07:05]: "Do you still have the special, Greg?"
• Brian Bates [15:05]: "How has it been since..."

Listener Comments and Reactions

The hosts engage with listener feedback, reading and reacting to comments from various platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Apple Podcast reviews. They address humorous and heartfelt remarks, further strengthening their connection with the audience.

Brian Bates [35:49]: "Jay Rinsing. This episode was so good. I was laughing so hard and then found myself crying at the end between Dusty's song list and you three talking about your moms and wives."

Sponsorship and Advertisements

Throughout the episode, the hosts seamlessly integrate advertisements for sponsors like Captain Morgan, BetterHelp, Cremo, and Chubbies. They maintain a humorous tone while promoting these products, ensuring that the ads complement the overall conversation without disrupting the flow.

Brian Bates [21:15]: "Brian did the podcast and then your life fell."

Aaron Weber [34:38]: "I may leave my wife. That's how good Cremo is."

Upcoming Events and Specials

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts promote their upcoming shows and specials, encouraging listeners to attend and support their comedic endeavors.

Dusty Slay [117:35]: "Shot in New York a bit. A bit of co times. It was a weird. But this is my first official show at the town hall."

Brian Bates [118:35]: "This week, a few weeks ago, we talked about the Revolutionary War... next month is the 250th anniversary of the US army being created. So let's talk a little bit about the Army."

Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with the hosts expressing gratitude towards their listeners and each other, reinforcing the camaraderie that defines The Nateland Podcast. They leave the audience with final thoughts on their experiences and upcoming projects, maintaining an open invitation for future engagement.

Brian Bates [122:21]: "All right, guys, thanks. See you next week."

Conclusion

Episode #252 of The Nateland Podcast offers a rich tapestry of personal stories, professional updates, and meaningful discussions. By balancing humor with genuine conversations about their journeys in the military and the comedy industry, the hosts create an engaging and relatable experience for listeners. Notable moments, such as Greg Warren’s special and Dusty Slay’s first New York City show, are highlighted with enthusiasm, encouraging audience support and participation.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Bates [03:10]: "His tour kicked off in Duluth, Minnesota. Already broke the attendance record."
• Aaron Weber [08:55]: "I can see some comics being good at that. Yeah."
• Dusty Slay [73:08]: "But I did join it. Took the physical. But I got arrested before I got to go in."
• Greg Warren [28:34]: "It was my first official show at the town hall. So I'm talking about it not being sold well. But to me, I'm excited that the amount of tickets that we've sold already, that we've sold them because you know, who would ever thought I'd be doing a theater in New York City?"

This summary captures the essence of Episode #252, ensuring that those unfamiliar with the podcast can grasp the key points, discussions, and the dynamic interplay between the hosts and their guest.