Public Figures Podcast – Episode 8: “Westerns”

Date: March 25, 2026
Hosts: Brian Bates, Aaron Weber, Dusty Slay

Episode Overview

In this lighthearted and nostalgia-driven episode, the Public Figures crew—Brian, Aaron, and Dusty—dive into the world of Westerns. From classic Western movies and TV shows to musings on cowboy culture, the guys reminisce about their favorites, debate what makes a true Western, and discuss why the genre has enduring appeal. Sprinkled throughout are the hosts’ signature comedic riffs, personal stories, and quirky tangents—everything from straw-opening techniques to their music-rankings and philosophical takes on “good guys vs. bad guys.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Weekend Recaps and Stand-Up Gigs ([01:11-04:00])

• The hosts catch up on where they’ve been performing: Paducah, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and Brian’s upcoming Grand Ole Opry appearance.
• Aaron shares excitement about his first solo gig in Minneapolis at Sisyphus Brewing.
• Dusty and others joke about tour bus culture, contemplating whether they’d go full “rock star” with wrapped buses.

2. Straw-Opening Techniques & Observational Humor ([08:22-10:14])

• Aaron discusses people’s unique ways of opening drinking straws. The others chime in, and Aaron demonstrates his habit of popping it with a fist—a “Brad Pitt in A River Runs Through It” moment, as Brian says.

“The great ones always find their own way.” – Brian ([10:02])

3. Baseball, Old Rosters, and the Romance of Nostalgia ([06:00-08:02], [30:29-33:05])

• The crew riffs on their favorite teams and baseball card collecting; Dusty impresses with his recall of early ‘90s Atlanta Braves lineups.
• Banter about Nashville’s hopes for an MLB team ignites jokes about generic/quirky team names: “Nashville Catfish,” “Nashville Stars,” etc.

“Catfish would be fun. That’s a serious fish.” – Dusty ([31:04])

4. Hangouts, Old Friends, and Uncle Pappy ([16:09-21:16])

• Dusty recounts meeting online personality “Uncle Pappy”—revealing he’s actually a much younger man using a filter. The group laughs over Dusty’s reunion with an old school dance partner, recreated photo and all.

5. Listener Comments & Playful Bickering ([34:55-41:16])

• The guys read fan comments, joke about the dynamic of the show, and reflect on podcast structure.
• Standout comment about Brian’s perceived “cockiness,” leading to Dusty saying: “I didn’t think you were joking.” ([04:08])

6. Bugles, Funerals, and the Myth of April Fool's Day ([43:44-41:16])

• Aaron admits to confusing bugle calls at funerals and a listener reveals that it’s often just a recording device.
• Dusty shares his philosophy on April Fool's Day and his own run-in with prank-gone-wrong on social media.

7. Western Genre: Defining the Classics ([78:04-121:12])

A. The Essence of Westerns ([82:29-84:43], [93:36-94:59])

• Dusty covers why old Westerns endure: clear morality, beautiful landscapes, a glimpse into a rugged era.
• He prefers straightforward good vs. evil stories, where the hero triumphs.

“Most Westerns, there’s a clear good guy and a clear bad guy... No redeemable characteristics to the bad guy.” – Dusty ([83:23])

B. Spaghetti Westerns & Iconic Directors ([84:55-86:34])

• Discussion on Sergio Leone, the “spaghetti Western” label, and how Italian directors brought new grit to the genre.
• Clarification: Spaghetti Westerns are simply Westerns made by Italians, often with morally ambiguous characters.

C. “Western Vibes” Beyond the Frontier ([88:44-90:22])

• Aaron wonders why movies like “Inglourious Basterds” feel like Westerns; Dusty says it’s about themes of frontier justice and mismatched morality.

D. End of the Western Boom & Modern Revivals ([98:43-99:13])

• They reminisce about the heyday of Westerns (1950s–1970s), why their production dropped, and how occasional modern films revive the spirit.

E. Modern Westerns: ([110:29-113:02])

• The crew highlights contemporary takes like “No Country for Old Men,” “Hell or High Water,” and “Electric Horseman”—noting the genre’s adaptability.
• Light mockery of absurd crossovers (“Cowboys & Aliens”).

F. Top Films & Recommendations ([94:36-110:29], [120:09-121:12])

• Titles mentioned/favored:
  • The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
  • Once Upon a Time in the West
  • Unforgiven
  • Tombstone
  • 3:10 to Yuma (“The 3:10 is the prison train.” – Dusty, [106:31])
  • Dances With Wolves
  • True Grit
  • The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (“Start with that one. I was blown away how good that movie was.” – Dusty [122:09])
  • Open Range
  • Young Guns / Young Guns II
  • Maverick
  • Rio Bravo
  • Little House on the Prairie (“They’re taking their phones…” – Dusty on the remake, [109:04])
• TV series: Bonanza, Gunsmoke (“That’s Gunsmoke. Longest running show till Simpsons.” – [94:40]), Columbo (as an analogy for predictable but satisfying formulas).

G. What Makes a Western a Western? ([88:44-90:01])

• Westerns are defined by their backdrops (1865–1900), high-stakes worlds with military-trained loners, “big sky” landscapes, and survival themes.
• Discussion about how daily life was shaped by necessity: “...whole day was filled meeting their needs—growing food, wrangling cattle, hunting, defending your house…” ([89:19])

H. Comic Westerns, Songs, and Growing Up ([112:11-119:56])

• Comedy/noir Westerns: Shanghai Noon, Maverick, O Brother Where Art Thou, etc.
• Songs about gunfighters (Dusty’s Top 5):
  1. “Don’t Take Your Guns to Town” (Johnny Cash)
  2. “Cattleman’s Gun” (Dean Brody)
  3. “Rocky Raccoon” (The Beatles)
  4. “Mr. Shorty” (Marty Robbins)
  5. “Big Iron” (Marty Robbins)
• Favorite country songs about cowboys, theme songs, and the cultural legacy of Western music.

8. Funniest and Most Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On living in the old west:
  “They probably didn’t have a lot of anxiety back then because you were just like, I got stuff to do.” – Dusty ([89:43])
• On John Wayne vs. Clint Eastwood:
  “If westerns were the WWE, I think John Wayne would be Hulk Hogan, and then Clint Eastwood would be like the crow sting.” – Dusty ([101:37])
• On opening straws:
  “I take it with a fist, hit it against the table, pop it out, bite it out with your mouth…” – Aaron ([09:16])
• On Catfish as a team name:
  “Catfish would be fun. That’s a serious fish.” – Dusty ([31:04])
• On familiar arguments:
  “No, but stars are, you know, it’s a dime a dozen.” – Dusty ([31:58])

9. Lightning Round: Listener Comments, Groceries, and Philosophies ([34:55-61:02])

• The hosts joke about regional pronunciations of “grocery,” ways to fix shopping carts, and philosophical approaches to images of God in media.

10. Closing and Recommendations ([120:24-121:12])

• Dusty strongly recommends “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” for Western newbies.
• The guys reflect on which classics or “starter” movies folks should try, welcoming listeners to share their picks.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “The great ones always find their own way.” – Brian ([10:02])
• “Catfish would be fun. That’s a serious fish.” – Dusty ([31:04])
• “If westerns were the WWE, I think John Wayne would be Hulk Hogan, and then Clint Eastwood would be like the crow sting.” – Dusty ([101:37])
• “They probably didn’t have a lot of anxiety back then because you were just like, I got stuff to do.” – Dusty ([89:43])
• “I was blown away how good that movie was. Truly blown away.” – Dusty on “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” ([122:09])
• “The 3:10 is the prison train.” – Dusty ([106:31])
• “Start with ‘The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.’” – Dusty ([122:09])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening catch-ups / Tour bus talk: [01:11-12:08]
• Straw opening riff: [08:22-10:14]
• Baseball nostalgia / Nashville MLB hopes: [30:29-33:05]
• Uncle Pappy reveal/story: [17:17-18:09]
• Listener Comments and Show Dynamics: [34:55-41:16]
• Bugles, funerals, and imagery in religion: [43:44-67:09]
• Main Westerns Discussion Begins (What's in the Box): [78:04]
• Dusty’s overview: Why Westerns endure: [82:29-84:43]
• Spaghetti Westerns & Leone’s impact: [84:55-86:34]
• Modern Westerns/Revisionist genre: [110:29-113:02]
• Top country songs about gunfighters: [117:49-119:56]
• Which Western should a newbie start with?: [120:09-121:12]

Episode Tone & Structure

• Comedic & Informal: The group’s signature banter, gentle ribbing, and self-deprecating humor keeps the tone light.
• Storytelling & Personal Reflection: Blends factoids with personal and family memories, rooting the discussion in lived experience and Americana.
• Accessible & Inviting: The conversation welcomes listeners who may not be Western buffs and gives clear movie recs for those curious about the genre.

Summary Verdict

For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this episode is a heartfelt—and often hilarious—love letter to the Western genre. Whether you’re looking for a starting point (“The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” “Tombstone,” “Unforgiven”), fun facts about the real wild west, or just a reminder of why simple stories about good guys and bad guys still matter, the Public Figures’ take is as entertaining as any classic shootout on the silver screen.