Unsubscribe Podcast Ep 243: The Insane Story Of Ned Kelly

Date: December 15, 2025
Host(s): UnsubscribePodcast (Eli Doubletap, Brandon Herrera, Donut Operator, The Fat Electrician)
Special Guest: Isaac Butterfield
Theme: An irreverent, wide-ranging conversation on Australian culture, guns, comedy, COVID, and the legendary Australian outlaw Ned Kelly.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the wild contrasts between Australia and the USA—covering everything from gun laws, comedy censorship, and freedom of speech, to the infamous story of Ned Kelly. Guest Isaac Butterfield, an Australian comedian, brings his unfiltered perspective and shares personal stories of controversy, touring, and the state of liberty Down Under. The group ranges from hilarious tales of haunted dolls and drugs in sports, to serious reflections on COVID restrictions, crime, and the struggles comedians face with cancel culture.

Highlights & Discussion Breakdown

1. Differences Between Australia & the USA: Guns, Governance, and Freedom

• Australia's Restrictive Gun Laws

  • Isaac describes the rigorous process of acquiring a gun in Australia and contrasts it with the more relaxed gun culture in the US.
    • "You have to have a reason. Why do you want a gun? Well, I like. I like guns. They're fun to shoot." – Isaac (06:26)
  • The group discusses how government approval is required for basic things, from tree removal to opening a bar.
    • “You have to beg to do things in Australia... They feel like they're free, but they're really not.” – Isaac (07:31)

• Cultural Attitudes: Individualism vs. Collectivism

  • Brandon: “Here in the US, it's a lot more like dangerous freedom, like the individual over a collective…” (11:54)
  • Isaac notes Australians are envious of American freedoms, even as they "feel free" themselves.

2. The Port Arthur Massacre and Gun Control Laws

• Australia's Pivotal Shooting
  • A detailed retelling of the 1996 Port Arthur shooting, which led to sweeping gun bans.
    • “Killed 35 people, right. And wounded 23.” – Eli (14:47)
    • Isaac: “The official story is this guy, real autistic, strange dude...” (13:39)
  • The group jokes about conspiracy theories and media responses, noting the parallels with New Zealand.
    • “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” – Eli quoting a politician (19:00)

3. COVID, Compliance, and Lost Trust in Institutions

• Contrasting COVID Responses
  • The group marvels at strict mask-wearing and the enforcement of lockdowns in Australia.
    • “Covid was crazy. And, yeah, people were being—there was A dude arrested... for being on a beach.” – Isaac (21:58)
  • Isaac reflects on how initial pro-vaccine attitudes shifted to deep mistrust: “Now every... we had to talk to doctors about different things and ask questions... and they just go, nah, no questions.” (22:58)
  • Commentary on government overreach and the way restrictions fueled skepticism, especially for veterans and law enforcement.

4. Police Work, Mental Health, and “Early Onset Republicanism”

• A Day in the Life: Cop Stories

  • Donut Operator recounts the shift from tragic incidents to mundane disputes:
    • “This one drunk dude just... smeared this baby all over the road... and then the next call, I've got some old rich white who's like, my neighbor's trash can is in front of my house.” – (26:21)
  • The difficult emotional transitions for police, and the inherent lack of institutional support.

• Turning Conservative with Age

  • Isaac jokes about growing “more right-wing as I’ve gotten older,” with funny anecdotes on family and voting memes. (24:55)
  • Memorable quote: “Early onset Republican.” – Shane Gillis reference (24:30)

5. Addiction, Homelessness & Social Services

• Drug Use and Homelessness: Choice vs. Circumstance
  • The group laughs about seeing hard drug use in Austin and supports rehab stories:
    • “There's something about that needle where you're just like. That's commitment, you know?” – Isaac (35:34)
  • Support for people turning their lives around, with JD cited as a positive example: “That's such an important part for people... just to give you the knowledge that there is a way out of this.” – Isaac (38:30)

6. Australian Cinema and Culture

• Shows & Media Recommendations
  • Discussion of "Mr Inbetween" and "Underbelly"—noting Australia’s struggle with funding for anything not ticking government “diversity” boxes.
    • “The Australian film industry's fucking aids.” – Isaac (48:20)
  • Isaac shares stories from his documentary shoots, including haunted dolls and Yowie hunts:
    • “He’s telling us this story and he’s showing us photos of his wife’s black eyes... and it kept, like, beating his wife.” (51:07)

7. Main Theme: Ned Kelly—The Iron Outlaw

Segment Begins: [53:22]

The Legend of Ned Kelly

• Introduction & Cultural Placement

  • Brandon pitches the need for a great Ned Kelly film. Isaac points out Heath Ledger played Kelly in the 2003 film.
    • “It is a great movie. I actually based a tour trailer off that where I was dressed as Ned Kelly.” – Isaac (54:01)

• The Outlaw Story

  • Explained as the "Australian Jesse James," a Robin Hood figure who defied oppressive British police.
  • Notorious for constructing a home-made suit of armor for a legendary shootout:
    • "He built a metal suit to have a shootout with the cops... this is in the late 1800s." – Brandon (54:37)
  • Isaac describes seeing the original armor in a Melbourne museum.

• Folk Hero or Criminal?

  • The group notes Kelly killed police, but his legend grew because he targeted the authorities who were harsh on Irish and Scottish settlers.
    • “He’s like a folklore hero... They were all sort of treated badly at the time by the police.” – Isaac (55:16)
  • Memorable moment:
    • “He’s like Iron Man... with a box of scraps.” – (56:56, Donut & Isaac riffing)

8. Comedy, Free Speech & Cancel Culture (1:02:12 – 1:19:00)

• Australia’s Censorship Problem

  • Isaac details repeated “cancellations” over edgy jokes (Aboriginal, Christchurch, Holocaust), describing court-mandated hearings and media shaming.
    • “If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the oven. That's all I said, right?” – Isaac (63:41)
  • Explains vague new speech laws targeting “advocating violence” and lack of protection for comedy, satire, or film.
    • “Comedy's not protected. Satire is not protected... it's opening you up to having your very words... controlled by people who don't have a vested interest in your best.” (73:04)

• In Practice

  • Ever-present risk of being sued or arrested for content; heavy pressure for comedians to be G- or PG-rated.
  • Issues with British comedians facing similar crackdowns; Graham Linehan case cited.

• Reflections and Warnings

  • The group emphasizes the dangers of “tools” of control being used by future governments—what’s “for you” today can be “against you” tomorrow.
    • “Any tool that can be wielded for you can be wielded against you...” – Brandon (77:26)
  • The US First Amendment contrasts with Australia’s “implied” (i.e., unenforced) freedom of speech.

9. The Right to Self-Defense: Gun Rights Debated

• The American Castle Doctrine vs. Australian Law
  Segment Begins: [82:14]

  • Discussion on how US states (especially Texas and Florida) protect home defense, while Australia criminalizes using force or even owning pepper spray.
    • “So what you can have is Echelon, the spicy flavors of Echelon where you shake it up and just spray it at a guy.” – Eli (85:13)
  • Shock at a Canadian police chief’s public advice to "just comply with home invaders."
    • “How can you say you have rule of law in your country if you can't even defend what you. Your domicile.” – Brandon (88:37)

10. America’s Image Abroad, Urban Decay & City Life

• Cities as Poor First Impressions

  • Guests recount how LA and New York are grim, dirty, and not representative of true America or Australia.
    • “If this is your only experience of America, then you've probably missed out on a lot.” – Isaac (112:23)
  • Family stories highlight shock and disgust at homelessness, crime, and drug use in iconic public places.

• On Tribalism & Urban Dysfunction

  • Isaac: “We're just not made to live in cities... we're supposed to have small knit groups, tribes, that type of stuff.” (117:52)
  • The group references the famous “rat experiment” and the psychological collapse in crowded utopia.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Isaac on gun restrictions:
  “You have to have a reason. Why do you want a gun? I like guns. They're fun to shoot.” (06:26)

• On cancel culture:
  "I've been cancelled five times...," “If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the oven. That's all I said, right?” (63:41)

• On Ned Kelly’s armor:
  “He built a metal suit to have a shootout with the cops.” (54:37)
  “He’s like Iron Man... with a box of scraps.” (56:56)

• On Australia’s fake sense of freedom: "They feel like they're free, but they're really not." (07:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [06:26] – Isaac on Aussie gun laws
• [13:39] – Port Arthur shooting & conspiracy theories
• [21:58] – COVID absurdities and mask anecdotes
• [24:55] – Growing conservative with age, "early onset Republican"
• [35:34] – Needle drugs, rugby, and “barrier to entry”
• [48:20] – The struggle for authentic Australian cinema
• [53:22] – Ned Kelly story begins
• [54:37] – Ned Kelly’s armor and the legend
• [63:41] – Cancel culture and forbidden roast jokes
• [73:04] – Satire no longer protected by law in Australia
• [82:14] – Self-defense: US vs. Australian law
• [112:23] – Experiences of LA and NY as first impressions
• [117:52] – Tribalism and city dysfunction

Notable Final Reflections

• Isaac’s Experience Touring America: Starting small with 200-seat venues, testing where his irreverent style and stories land with American crowds.
• On Free Speech: The group warns about the global trend in suppressing edgy comedy and how easily laws for “good” can be twisted.
• On Celebrity vs. Reality: Throughout, the tone is brash, self-deprecating, and honest, with Isaac insisting on the importance of blue-collar work, family, and knowing real hardship.

Summary

Unsubscribe Podcast Ep 243 is a hilarious, uncensored, and insightful look at cultural differences, government overreach, and the enduring appeal of outlaw legends like Ned Kelly. It’s part travelogue, part cautionary tale about censorship and freedom, with Isaac Butterfield’s stories making the Australian perspective vivid and relatable. The podcast is rich in personality, dark humor, and sometimes biting social commentary—always wrapped in banter and memorable one-liners.