Podcast Summary: The Smoking Tire – Episode with Dave Anthony ("The Dollop", "Past Times")

Release Date: February 25, 2025

In this engaging episode of The Smoking Tire, hosts Matt Farah and Zach Klapman welcome comedian and podcasting heavyweight Dave Anthony to discuss a wide array of topics ranging from the intricacies of podcasting to electric vehicles, wildfires, sports, urbanism, and the automotive industry's current landscape. Below is a detailed breakdown of the episode's key discussions, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for context.

1. Introduction to Dave Anthony and His Podcasting Journey

The episode begins with Matt and Zach expressing their excitement about having Dave Anthony in the studio ([00:00]). Dave introduces himself as the host and co-creator of the renowned podcasts The Dollop and Past Times.

Notable Quote:

• Matt Farah ([00:00]): "Trigger warning. Lefty politics incoming. Because Dave Anthony is in studio. Let's do the Smoking Tire."

2. Evolution from Show Business to Podcasting

Dave delves into his transition from traditional show business to podcasting, highlighting the creative freedom podcasts offer compared to the constraints of television writing.

Notable Quotes:

• Dave Anthony ([16:09]): "And at the same time, I'm doing the podcast and I'm like, so there's content I have total control over and no one can tell me anything except the people screaming online."
• Matt Farah ([16:28]): "Show business, you write it yourself."

3. The Birth and Growth of The Dollop

Dave recounts the inception of The Dollop podcast, initially conceptualized as reading historical stories to different comedians. The collaboration with Gareth and the subsequent live shows played a pivotal role in expanding the podcast's popularity, especially in Australia.

Notable Quotes:

• Dave Anthony ([09:05]): "So I was gonna read a story to him, a different comedian every week."
• Matt Farah ([20:10]): "That's sick."

4. Live Shows and the "Superpod" Experience

The conversation shifts to live podcasting experiences, particularly the "Superpod" event at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. Dave shares anecdotes about the overwhelming audience response and the challenges faced during live recordings.

Notable Quotes:

• Dave Anthony ([22:30]): "People flew in from all over the country and a couple people flew from Australia."
• Matt Farah ([23:12]): "No."

5. Challenges and Technical Hiccups in Live Podcasting

Dave humorously discusses technical difficulties encountered during live shows, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of live events.

Notable Quotes:

• Dave Anthony ([24:07]): "It was a move."
• Zach Klapman ([24:28]): "That is the benefit of streaming it live is we have a backup of a backup."

6. Electric Vehicles (EVs): Adoption, Profitability, and Personal Experiences

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to electric vehicles. Dave and Matt exchange views on EV adoption rates, the profitability challenges faced by manufacturers, and the practical issues like charging infrastructure.

Notable Quotes:

• Dave Anthony ([05:23]): "But either way, like, look, I talked, I had a two-hour conversation with a guy who covers EVs for a private equity firm and he was like, they just don't make, they're not making money. They're just not. They're not a thing that makes money."
• Matt Farah ([58:10]): "It would rapidly kill the EV market."

7. Personal Anecdotes: Navigating Wildfires

Dave shares his firsthand experience with wildfires, detailing the evacuation process and the unforeseen resilience of his and his family's location during the crisis.

Notable Quotes:

• Dave Anthony ([06:07]): "We had to evacuate. So we're worked one. There's one us and Altadena."
• Matt Farah ([07:42]): "How was the audience though? Were they great?"

8. The Intersection of Sports and Perfectionism

The hosts delve into sports, particularly focusing on baseball's unique appeal rooted in its demand for perfection and strategy. They compare it to other sports like hockey and golf, highlighting the distinct cultures and challenges each presents.

Notable Quotes:

• Dave Anthony ([35:11]): "It's perfection. You almost have to have this strive for perfection because you're hitting a ball and you're throwing a ball and you're doing these things that every moment is like, oh, if I tweak this a tiny bit, it'll do that."
• Matt Farah ([32:12]): "Obviously you're like a baseball fan."

9. Urbanism and the 15-Minute City Concept

A thoughtful discussion unfolds around urban planning, specifically the 15-minute city model where all essential amenities are within a 15-minute walk from home. Dave and Matt advocate for walkable communities, contrasting them with the sprawling, car-dependent layouts prevalent in many American cities.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah ([59:50]): "One of the things, like, I try to bridge the gap between urbanists and car enthusiasts because it's like there's a big difference between car enthusiasm and car dependency."
• Dave Anthony ([60:04]): "If you've been to Europe and you go to like cities in, say, Sicily, everyone comes out on a Friday night and Saturday night and everyone hangs out in the town center."

10. Critique of the Automotive Industry and Notable Automakers

The podcast turns to a critical analysis of the automotive industry's current state, particularly targeting Tesla and Elon Musk. The hosts discuss issues like vehicle reliability, the misleading nature of self-driving claims, and the broader implications of leadership decisions on brand perception.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah ([52:25]): "You gotta understand that not working is the best case scenario. If it works, boy, are we fucked."
• Dave Anthony ([54:03]): "And you can see all the videos and you're like, oh, you can just peel it back with your hands."

11. Navigating Used Electric Vehicles and Industry Challenges

Dave and Matt share experiences with used electric vehicles, addressing concerns like battery longevity, warranty issues, and the practicality of maintaining older EV models.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah ([58:37]): "They make really nice cars. They're for their first effort, the R1s and R1t. For a company's first vehicle, that's an unbelievably high quality thing."
• Dave Anthony ([60:31]): "But it's got all the stuff that you also want, which is buttons and."

12. Personal Life and Road Trip Stories

The conversation winds down with personal stories about road trips, van life, and the practical aspects of touring with a large audience. They emphasize the joys and challenges of being constantly on the move versus the stability of driving.

Notable Quotes:

• Dave Anthony ([82:56]): "I was just like, well, this is what I'm doing now. And so I driving from now on."
• Matt Farah ([84:14]): "I've just recently learned that they've made nitrous oxide flavored. And you can buy tanks."

13. Upcoming Live Shows and Future Plans

Before wrapping up, Dave mentions upcoming live shows scheduled for March 15 and 16 in Tempe, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas, inviting listeners to attend and participate.

Notable Quotes:

• Dave Anthony ([91:06]): "We have a live show Tour coming up March 15, March 16. It starts in. In Tempe. Sick. And then we go to a bunch of. We go to Oklahoma and New Mexico and Texas."
• Matt Farah ([91:07]): "Dollarpodcast.com get tickets to the live show."

14. Closing Remarks and Shout-Outs

The episode concludes with light-hearted banter about future episodes, personal interactions, and mutual appreciation for fellow comedians and podcast guests. Matt invites Dave to a Benihana cooking session, underscoring the camaraderie among hosts.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah ([95:04]): "But it's not that hard."
• Dave Anthony ([96:36]): "Bye."

Key Takeaways:

• Podcasting vs. Traditional Media: Dave emphasizes the creative autonomy podcasting provides over traditional show business, allowing for unfiltered content and direct connection with the audience.
• Electric Vehicle Challenges: Discussions highlight the financial unviability of EVs for manufacturers, infrastructural shortcomings, and personal experiences with EV ownership.
• Urban Planning Advocacy: The hosts advocate for walkable cities to foster community and reduce car dependency, drawing inspiration from European urban designs.
• Automotive Industry Critique: A critical stance on Tesla and Elon Musk underscores issues like vehicle reliability and the overpromising nature of self-driving technology.
• Personal Stories: Anecdotes about wildfires, road trips, and live shows add a personal touch, illustrating the hosts' diverse experiences and challenges.

This episode offers a comprehensive look into Dave Anthony's multifaceted career and perspectives, seamlessly blending humor with insightful discussions on pressing automotive and societal topics.