Public Figures Podcast – Episode 5: “Montana”

Release Date: March 4, 2026
Hosts: Dusty Slay, Aaron Weber, Brian Bates
Studio: Audioboom Studios

Overview

This episode of Public Figures centers on the state of Montana—its geography, culture, quirks, and significance in America and pop culture. The hosts, all professional comedians, share personal experiences, engage in banter about recent gigs, riff on hotels and travel, respond to listener comments, and deep-dive into Montana lore, music, people, and history. The episode features the trio’s signature mix of observational humor, storytelling, and friendly debate, including on topics like biometric security, rural life, and the changing shape of the American West.

Episode Structure & Key Segments

Introductions, Tour Updates & Banter

[00:42 – 04:54]

• The hosts (Dusty, Aaron, Brian) greet new listeners, joke about their upcoming and recent gigs.

  • Dusty: Performing in Montana (Billings and Butte)
  • Aaron: Heading to Edmonton, Alberta, and dining at “Meat” restaurant (“I’m just gonna walk in and say, give me what you got.” —Dusty, [02:49])
  • Brian: Recently visited Canada and Mexico for the first time, despite being widely traveled elsewhere.

• “I fell in love with [Butte]. ...I’m excited to go back.” — Dusty Slay, [04:16]

Comedy & Travel Stories

[04:54 – 13:57]

• Brian discusses performing at a church in Covington, TN, reminiscing about previous shows involving Aaron.
• Aaron describes playing with Kathleen Madigan in Huntsville, AL, and Atlanta, GA, noting comedy’s connections to regional culture and venues.
  • “Everything’s space themed in Huntsville.” — Aaron, [07:19]
• Dusty recounts gigs in Poughkeepsie and Albany, NY, including crowd adventures at a cigar bar (“If they’re willing to come to a cigar bar, they’re probably going to be all right.” — Dusty, [10:35])
• Discussion of hotels—Dusty’s snobbery about lodging (“You can tell a lot by the lobby. If you go into a lobby, a good hotel is gonna have a tall ceiling…” — Dusty, [14:21])

Live Audience & Listener Interactions

[18:49 – 21:05]

• Introduction of the section where comments from listeners are read and answered.

  • Fans praise the "infectious laughter" and "non-stop funny quips".
  • “If you want to be a part of this podcast, leave us a comment…” — Dusty, [18:54]

• Some memorable comments include:

  • Listeners highlighting Dusty’s relatability as a “trailer park child” ([27:39])
  • Uber driver stories and safety, and stories about hotel key card habits.

Public Figures: Announcements and Updates

[19:12 – 26:42]

• Brian and Dusty each announce comedy specials scheduled for recording.

  • “I’m filming my special... actually already sold out.” — Brian, [21:01]

• Dusty announces his new book: We’re Having a Good Time.

  • “I wrote a book...there is gonna...I wrote a book called 'We’re Having a Good Time.'” — Dusty, [23:33]
  • Discussion about audiobook versions and fan expectations.

• Aaron and his wife’s fundraiser event for Prader-Willi Syndrome (“Prodder Silly”), aiming to raise money for PWSA USA.

Deep-Dive: Montana

[56:46 – 94:42]

Personal Experiences and Montana’s Identity

• Dusty: Returning to Billings and Butte, favorite Montana cities.
• Montana’s “big sky” and sense of place: “There are places – Montana is one of them – where you go, I really feel like I’m somewhere unique.” — Aaron, [64:21]

Music Shoutouts

• The hosts debate Montana-themed songs:
  • “Meet Me in Montana” by Dan Seals & Marie Osmond
  • Hank Williams Jr. songs (“Cut Bank, Montana”, “Montana Café”)
  • Chris Stapleton, Charlie Pride, and others

Montana Facts & Fun Trivia

• Nicknames: “Big Sky Country”, “The Last Best Place”, “The Treasure State” ([63:23])
• Sparse, rugged state: 4th largest by area, but just 8 people per sq. mile and 3 million cows ([68:24])
• Continental Divide & Triple Divide Peak: water flows to three oceans from one point ([72:24])
• World’s smallest river: Roe River, Great Falls ([72:56])
• Glacial and mountain-fed waterways; “ice cold” creeks even in summer ([73:22])
• Custer's Last Stand/Battle of Little Bighorn
• Record temperature swing: 103 degrees in one day ([75:56])
• Montana’s attempt to ban TikTok ([66:47])
• No US President or VP from Montana
• Most grizzlies in the lower 48 ([89:15])
• Famed residents and newcomers: Michael Keaton, Tom Brokaw, John Mayer, Jeff Bridges, Huey Lewis; influx of celebrities and California migration ([69:49], [81:36])

Famous Montanans & Pop Culture

• Dana Carvey, Brent Musburger, Evel Knievel, Augie Smith, Reggie Watts
• Discussion of classic Montana-set movies and TV:
  • “A River Runs Through It”, “Legends of the Fall”, “Yellowstone”, plus prequels
  • “Open Range”, “Lonesome Dove”
• Charlie Pride’s Montana connection: singing at ballgames before becoming a country music star ([78:16])

Listener Montana Stories

• Video from Brian Holt: sheep birthing on a Virginia farm; Dusty’s own story about pulling a stillborn calf ([53:16], [54:21])
  • “I’ve helped birth a cow.” — Dusty, [54:17]

Quirks, Conspiracies, Debates

• Rural anti-government culture, “Montana Freeman” militia and sovereignty talk ([70:51])
• Extended debate about CLEAR and TSA PreCheck; privacy, biometrics, and the “false dichotomy” of trusting corporations vs. government:
  • “You don’t trust the government, I don’t trust this company. At some point, you make compromises because, you know, there it is.” — Dusty, [35:43]
  • Highly comedic, with role reversals and good-natured teasing ([31:37 – 38:00])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Montana’s sense of place:
  “Most cities you’re in, you go this could be Oklahoma and nobody would even know the difference... But there are places. Montana is one of them. Where you go I really feel like I’m somewhere different.” — Aaron, [64:21]

• On travel and hotels:
  “You can tell a lot by the lobby. If you go into a lobby, a good hotel is gonna have a tall ceiling..." — Dusty, [14:21]

• On music and Montana:
  “The three best Montana songs, in my opinion, all come from Hank Williams Jr. That's Cut Bank, Montana, Montana Song, and Montana Cafe.” — Dusty, [58:34]

• On CLEAR vs. TSA PreCheck:
  “You don’t trust the government, I don’t trust this company. At some point, you make compromises because, you know, there it is.” — Dusty, [35:43]

• On anti-government sentiment:
  “We all should hate the government. That's what's so weird.” — Dusty, [70:41]

Listener and Fan Interaction

[26:45 – 53:16 & 53:16 – 55:02]

• Fan comments ranging from praise for the show to lively debate about rural life, FFA (Future Farmers of America), country songs, and agricultural trivia.
• Sheep, goats, and milk: “Sheep milk is the closest to human milk...” — Listener Susan Gasman ([50:20])
• Uber driver horror stories recur as a theme.

Montana Deep Cuts & Oddities

[86:06 – 88:01]

• The “Bell Ringing Boulder”: a mysterious local rock formation that resonates like a bell only when kept with others ([91:32])

Closing and Plugs

[95:03 – 97:09]

• Each host shares upcoming tour dates in various states and cities.
• Call for listener stories about Montana for future episodes.
  • “Send in a video so we can feature you on here. ...If we like it, if it’s good enough...” — Dusty, [97:11]
• “We’re having a good time.” (Show’s recurring catchphrase, [98:00])

Overall Tone & Style

• Casual, inquisitive, and irreverent: The hosts riff freely, alternating humor and genuine interest in history, geography, and nostalgia.
• Organically structured: The episode evolves from gig banter to deep-dive, supported by anecdotes, trivia, and lively debate.
• Fan-inclusive: Regularly encourages interaction, comments, and video submissions.
• Lighthearted skepticism: Playful skepticism toward institutions (government, corporations), delivered with jokes and “Socratic” questioning.

Useful Timestamps

• 02:49 — Dusty: “Just give me a plate of meat” (Dining at “Meat” in Edmonton)
• 04:16 — Dusty professes his love for Butte, Montana
• 10:35 — “If they’re willing to come to a cigar bar, they’re probably going to be all right.”
• 14:21 — Hotel lobby theories
• 23:33 — Dusty’s book announcement (We’re Having a Good Time)
• 31:37 – 38:00 — CLEAR vs. TSA PreCheck debate (data privacy)
• 53:16 – 54:21 — Brian Holt’s sheep birthing video; Dusty’s cow story
• 56:46 – 94:42 — Deep-dive into Montana: history, music, movies, and trivia

For New Listeners

Even if you haven’t heard prior episodes, this one welcomes you with relatable stories of work, travel, hospitality quirks, and rural Americana—punctuated with down-to-earth banter that’s both informative and witty. You get cultural insight into Montana, a window into touring comedian life, and a steady stream of comedic takes on serious (and not-so-serious) subjects.

Next Episode: Tune in Wednesdays for new episodes. Submit your own stories, questions, or Montana memories for a chance to be featured.
Catchphrase: “We’re having a good time.”