The Nateland Podcast - Episode 261: #261 Memory

Release Date: July 16, 2025
Hosts: Nate Bargatze, Brian Bates, Aaron Weber, Dusty Slay
Produced by: Audioboom Studios

1. Welcome and Catching Up (01:12 - 04:29)

The hosts kick off the episode with enthusiastic greetings, expressing their excitement about returning to the podcast after a hiatus.

• Brian Bates: "Hello, folks, and hey, Bear. Welcome to the Nateland Podcast."
• Aaron Weber: "I'm pumped. Dude, it's been a while, man."

They discuss their recent activities, including vacations and personal updates, setting a friendly and relaxed tone for the episode.

2. Announcements and Upcoming Events (04:29 - 16:40)

The conversation transitions to various announcements related to the hosts' projects and upcoming events.

• Brian Bates: "Ryan Hamilton's next Netflix special, filming at the Neptune Theater in Seattle on October 4th. Get your tickets for that."
• Brian Bates: "My dad will be performing at Levity Live in Huntsville, Alabama on August 24th."

They highlight the launch of Naelyland Presents the Showcase Season Three, introducing new comedians like AJ Lydig from Chicago, and celebrate Dusty Slay's upcoming Netflix special, "Wet Heat," premiering on July 29th.

3. Stand-Up Comedy and the Importance of Memory (16:40 - 33:39)

The hosts delve into the intricacies of stand-up comedy, emphasizing how crucial memory is for performers.

• Brian Bates: "If you're a stand-up comic, I think you can transition to more things than if you're anything else."
• Nate Bargatze: "Because you're up there with nothing."

They discuss the challenges comedians face on stage, such as handling silence and maintaining consistency in their acts. Brian shares his journey in refining his material, illustrating the interplay between memory and performance.

4. Personal Anecdotes: Golfing with Celebrities (33:39 - 46:12)

Brian recounts his experience joining a golf tournament with notable personalities like Charles Barkley and Larry the Cable Guy.

• Brian Bates: "I played with Charles Barkley where he shot his best round he's ever shot. He's really worked on his swing."

The story highlights the unexpected moments on the golf course, including a surprising bear sighting, adding humor and relatability to the conversation.

5. Debating Ice Cream Free Samples (46:12 - 53:24)

A lighthearted debate ensues about the appropriateness of free samples in ice cream shops versus other restaurants.

• Aaron Weber: "I just don't know why we do it at ice cream places, but nowhere else."
• Nate Bargatze: "I say you get two samples. That's it."

The hosts explore differing perspectives, balancing customer experience with business practicality, ultimately agreeing on limited samples as a fair middle ground.

6. Memory: Personal Memories and Scientific Insights (53:24 - 116:50)

The core theme of the episode revolves around memory, blending personal stories with scientific concepts.

a. Earliest Memories

• Aaron Weber: "I was on my dad's shoulder. We at a Lowe's or a Home Depot. I remember I spit up on my dad's shoulder. I was probably between one and two."

• Nate Bargatze: "I was hanging on a towel rack in the bathroom, and it broke and I cut my finger."

b. Infantile Amnesia and Memory Development

• Dusty Slay: "It's called infantile amnesia. Their brains haven't developed fully formed yet. They don't understand language."

• Aaron Weber: "My generation... We're becoming worse at remembering events from our own lives because in our brain we think we can just go look it up."

c. Enhancing Memory Skills

• Brian Bates: "I've started telling myself I won't remember something tomorrow, and then I don't even put any weight into it."

• Dusty Slay: "Hypersensitive autobiographical memory... there's only about a hundred people in the world maybe that."

d. False Memories and the Mandela Effect

• Nate Bargatze: "I've had memories that I thought were true, but then I found out they were wrong. That's the Mandela effect."

The hosts discuss how memories can be unreliable, influenced by wording, experiences, and even psychological experiments. They emphasize the importance of journaling and active memory exercises to enhance recall.

7. Upcoming Shows and Tours (116:50 - 124:55)

The conversation shifts back to personal updates, with each host sharing their tour schedules and upcoming performances.

• Dusty Slay: "This Friday, Saturday, I'm in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the Loony Bin."
• Aaron Weber: "This weekend, Aaron Weber will be in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at the Comedy Catch."

They promote each other's shows, encouraging listeners to attend and support their comedic endeavors.

8. Final Bits and Closing Remarks (124:55 - 127:00)

As the episode nears its end, the hosts engage in playful banter about memory-related topics and share humorous anecdotes.

• Brian Bates: "How do you think memory can be something you work on? Can you work it like a muscle?"
• Dusty Slay: "Everyone wants meaning and purpose."

They wrap up the episode by reaffirming their camaraderie and teasing future discussions on memory, leaving listeners with a blend of humor and thoughtful insights.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Brian Bates [01:57]: "Ryan Hamilton's next Netflix special, filming at the Neptune Theater in Seattle on October 4th."
• Nate Bargatze [10:01]: "If you can be a stand-up comedian, then you can really fit into almost anything else."
• Dusty Slay [11:30]: "If it's quiet and then at the end, people politely clap. You go, that didn't go."
• Aaron Weber [53:24]: "Why do you get to try a little bit out?"
• Brian Bates [85:42]: "If you can remember it, you're a superpower to me."

Key Insights and Conclusions

• Memory's Role in Comedy: The discussion underscores how essential memory is for comedians to maintain consistency and engage effectively with their audience. Personal anecdotes illustrate the struggles and triumphs associated with memorizing and delivering comedic material.

• Scientific Perspectives on Memory: The hosts explore various aspects of memory, including infantile amnesia, false memories, and the Mandela effect, blending scientific facts with personal reflections to deepen the conversation.

• Enhancing and Maintaining Memory: Practical strategies such as journaling and conscious memory exercises are highlighted as ways to improve memory retention and recall, both in professional and personal contexts.

• Interpersonal Dynamics and Memory: The episode touches on how memories shape relationships and individual identities, emphasizing the balance between retaining valuable memories and letting go of less important ones.

Note: Advertisements for sponsors such as IQ Bar, Helix Sleep, Pesty, BetterHelp, and Factor Meals were present in the transcript but have been excluded from this summary to maintain focus on the podcast's content.