The Nateland Podcast

Episode 273: Connecticut
Host: Dusty Slay (guest hosting)
Co-hosts: Aaron Weber & Brian “Breakfast” Bates
Date: October 8, 2025

Episode Overview

This week’s episode of The Nateland Podcast dives into the state of Connecticut: its food, history, weird trivia, and the hosts’ personal stories and opinions about touring there. Host duties are ably handled by Dusty Slay, with Nate Bargatze notably absent. The hosts share stand-up tour recaps, riff on regional chain restaurants, the quirks of traveling comedians, and tackle a slew of listener comments before going all-in on Connecticut facts and cultural tidbits.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Podcast Housekeeping & Tour Updates

[00:41–09:56]

• Dusty Slay hosts and jokes about how polarizing his style is compared to Nate.
• Tour Recaps:
  • Brian joined Nate in Rochester, Cleveland, and Louisville playing huge sold-out shows. Notably, Nate’s escalating tour size leaves Brian in awe.
  • Dusty played Hartford, Connecticut’s Funny Bone, bought a Super Nintendo & N64, and had “great shows.”
  • Aaron was in Atlanta, performed in the Outer Banks for a dog charity (“Stand up for Strays”), and battled epic traffic on the way home.
• All hosts squeeze in their upcoming show plugs, sharing light banter about the art (and necessity) of not-so-subtle self-promotion as a comedian.

“These are all platforms for us to go, come see my show. Me, me, me, me, me, me. This is what we’re doing. …This is all up a facade of—for the listeners. It’s for us. Come on, guys.”
— Dusty [08:33]

2. The Comedy Life: Travel, Security, and On-the-Road Antics

[11:02–18:34]

• Brian highlights Nate’s massive shows, sharing backstage stories of pick-up basketball and a weird Nate-invented volleyball game with whiteboards as nets.
• Discussion veers into personal definitions of “fun”, family dynamics, and Dusty’s “work-ethic-as-family-fun” philosophy (“moving rocks” for ice cream).
• The crew jokes about security on big tours and their trust (or lack thereof) in bodyguards (“All security guys are looking for it—retired military, just trying to get some action.”).
• Offbeat games (two-ball, blind volleyball) and inclusive rule changes for cast and crew are highlighted.
• Nick Novicki’s basketball prowess gets a mention, with custom “rebound rules” to level the playing field.

3. Classic Nateland Banter: Technology, Travel Woes, & Product Reviews

[20:04–27:08]

• GPS & navigation app gripes: Aaron complains about Waze (especially Nate’s custom Waze voice during a stressful traffic jam—“Hey, take a left at the next roundabout. You’re doing good, buddy.”).
• Nostalgia for buying classic game consoles while on the road.
• Musings on who drives or takes Ubers now that they’re “all professional comedians.”
• Lighthearted mocking of each other’s promo tactics.

4. Listener Comments & Community Interaction

[28:50–44:18]

• Dedicated fan mail & new podcast email address promoted (“mail@natelandpodcast.com”).
• Highlights:
  • Greasing vs. tipping debate—when is it a secret “grease payment,” when is it just tip?
  • Confirmation from a real extradition agent about inmates flying commercial and sitting in the back (“You all have more than likely been on a plane while an extradition is taking place.”).
  • Discussions about flying, airline etiquette, and pre-boarders—especially grievances with bathroom lineups and the silent code of the handicap stall.
  • Personal pet peeves, restaurant music volume, and “controlled growth” in company chains like Cracker Barrel and Whataburger.
  • Running gags about “Breakfast” as Brian’s nickname and Aaron’s “good laugher” reputation.
  • Playful jabs about who pokes the most fun at whom (e.g., “Aaron’s fat” jokes: addressed and defused with good humor).

“We all have our thing. …I don’t think Aaron is a fat guy. …You’re not old. You know what I mean? It’s like, c’mon guys.”
— Brian [61:39]

5. State Spotlight: Connecticut

[64:16–117:14]

Fun Facts/History

• Capital is Hartford; other big cities: Bridgeport (biggest), New Haven, Stamford.
• Connecticut’s two capitals history (Hartford and New Haven for 170 years).
• Population: 3.7 million; 4th most densely populated state; 3rd smallest in area.
• Connecticut’s perceived wealth (Greenwich) vs. rougher city reality (Bridgeport’s problems, as attested by both Brian & Dusty).
• The state is named after the Connecticut River, which comes from an indigenous word meaning "long tidal river" (not “by the river” as initially guessed).

Culinary & Pop Culture

• Pizza: New Haven style pizza (coal-fired, thin crust)—reputed to be among the world’s best. Pepe’s and Sally’s are noted as flagship spots; Dave Portnoy (Barstool) has famously ranked them high.
• Bagels/Pastrami: Northeast’s dominance in bagel sandwiches and pastrami; Dusty laments dietary restrictions preventing indulgence.
• Hamburger: The (contested) birthplace of the hamburger at Louis’ Lunch in New Haven (est. 1895)—served on toast, not a bun.
• Famous restaurants/brands: Original Subway (Bridgeport, 1965 as Pete’s Super Submarine Sandwiches); first hamburger, and first telephone directory (New Haven).
  • Recent transition: Subway sold to private equity—hosts predict food quality decline.

Oddball & Notable Connecticut Trivia

• Only one U.S. President born in Connecticut: George W. Bush (New Haven), despite family’s Texas ties.
• Famous people: Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy), John Mayer, Michael Bolton, Meg Ryan.
• Weird nicknames: The Nutmeg State (because of the “wooden nutmeg” scam tradition).
• “Nutmeg” soccer move: hosts discover that passing the ball through someone’s legs is called a “nutmeg.”
• Professional NHL team: Hartford Whalers (now the Carolina Hurricanes)
• Sports dominance: UConn Women’s basketball (Geno Auriemma) possibly the single most dominant sports program in history.

Unique/Grim Story

• Carlina White kidnapping: 1987 abduction from a Harlem hospital, raised in Bridgeport, CT, reunited with birth parents in 2011. Made into a Lifetime movie (“Abducted: The Carlina White Story”)—the hosts are both fascinated and saddened by the tale.

6. Super Bowl Halftime Shows & Cultural Tangents

[52:12–57:45]

• Dusty’s conspiracy theory amusement: Many watch NFL halftime shows just to analyze possible “satanic rituals or symbolism.”
• Discussed famous acts (Katy Perry, Madonna, The Who, Shania Twain, country music underrepresentation).
• Dusty proposes alternative, family-friendly halftime programming.

“We all think the halftime is satanic and full of rituals… We like to go in there and try to find it and pick it out and show it to other people.”
— Dusty [53:07]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Self-aware open:
  “I’m Dusty Slay. I’m your host of the Nateland podcast, and I’m here with my co host, Aaron Weber and Brian Breakfast Bates.” [00:54]
• On franchise growth:
  “They say in business, if you're not growing, you're dying. I say, if you’re growing too much, you’re dying.” — Dusty [03:30]
• Comedic meta awareness:
  “These are all platforms for us to go, come see my show… This is all a facade for the listeners. It’s for us.” — Dusty [08:33]
• On air-travel humility:
  “Even when you fly over, like, the Grand Canyon or something, you don’t take a peek? …I’m over it.” — Dusty [35:25]
• Classic ball-busting:
  “[To Brian] Maybe if he was less of a good sport and more good at sports, he wouldn’t have—” — Dusty, after listener calls out fat jokes [59:42]
• On City Reputations:
  “Bridgeport’s probably the city in Connecticut I’ve spent the most time in. And, yeah, I think it’s fair to say Bridgeport has its problems.” — Brian [67:13]
• Dusty’s style recap:
  “I'm just trying to slip it in.” [26:02]
• On bathroom etiquette:
  “We’re out here, guys. Wrap it up in there. This is not a time to—[be on your phone]” — Dusty [40:54]
• Listener shout-out:
  “Breakfast is the strongest of the names. …Because I'm the best meal of the day.” — Dusty [61:01]
• On Connecticut’s confusing spelling:
  “Is Connecticut the most annoying state to spell? …That C gets you.” — Brian [65:48]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:41] — Official start: Dusty takes over as host
• [05:06] — Nateland news (tour, showcases, new emails, Dry Bar specials)
• [09:07] — Tour announcements and show promo banter
• [11:02] — Tour stories: arenas, sports, and invented games
• [17:46] — Aaron’s Atlanta gig and navigation/road trip horror stories
• [23:24] — Dusty’s Hartford trip and classic video game shopping
• [28:50] — Listener comments begin
• [40:25] — Bathroom etiquette, airline travel, and music in bathrooms
• [44:18] — Restaurant reservation strategy and endless buffets’ impact on staff
• [53:07] — Super Bowl halftime “satanic rituals” theory, halftime history
• [64:16] — Connecticut state topic begins in-depth
• [71:03] — New Haven pizza discussion, Dave Portnoy mention
• [82:18] — Birthplace of Subway and the hamburger
• [95:07] — Submarine invention, telephone book history
• [103:44] — Speed limits & highway etiquette
• [108:34] — Carlina White kidnapping and reunion story
• [113:02] — The Conjuring, Annabelle doll, Matt Rife buying the “occult museum”
• [115:22] — Hartford Whalers/pro sports in Connecticut
• [116:44] — UConn women’s basketball dominance
• [120:00+] — Famous Connecticut natives, show plugs, and closing banter

Tone and Style

• Conversational, meandering, filled with “inside baseball” comedy industry chat.
• Self-aware meta commentary on the podcast format and their own branding.
• Genuine listener interaction: reading real comments, poking fun, and direct responses.
• Gentle ribbing between hosts, quick detours into personal stories, quirky complaints, and laughter throughout.

Final Thought

This episode is a classic example of the Nateland formula: personal stories, running jokes, local color, occasional deep dives (the Connecticut state trivia block is one of the most comprehensive yet), and unapologetic self-promo—delivered in a tone equal parts sarcastic, warm, and slightly anarchic. Even as they poke fun at each other and their audience, the camaraderie is clear, and both Connecticut natives and outsiders will leave knowing a little more about the Constitution State—and a lot more about what life’s really like for comics on the road.

For more information, comments, or to send in your own stories:
Email: mail@natelandpodcast.com