About this episode
In this episode of Circling The Drain, Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy dive deep into the evolution of media: from old-school radio and movie theaters to long-form podcasts and YouTube creators. They talk Joe Rogan’s three-hour conversations, why podcasts feel more authentic than corporate radio, the rise of independent creators, and how celebrities have lost their monopoly on “cool.” Along the way, they share classic Nashville industry stories, memorable movie-theater moments, and real talk about niches, sponsors, and the future of podcasting. If you love behind-the-scenes media talk, Music City lore, and smart banter about where content is headed, this one’s for you.Timed highlights (chapters)00:00 – Why long-form podcasts work and the Joe Rogan effect 01:00 – Welcome to Circling The Drain and hitting 1,000 Facebook followers 02:15 – Live event plans, swag, and possible dancing “girls” 03:10 – Why podcasts feel more real than corporate radio 05:35 – Borrowing the casual Joe Rogan-style intro for their own show 06:50 – Saving Nashville’s stories so they don’t “circle the drain” 08:50 – Donald Trump, Joe Rogan, Bill Clinton, and the politics of “being cool” 12:00 – How podcasts bypass mainstream media gatekeepers 13:55 – Relaxed rooms, real stories, and uncensored guest moments 14:58 – Sponsors, networks, and the cost of giving up independence 16:40 – Indie podcasters, Casey Anthony, and what you can’t air 18:30 – Releases, legal gray areas, and learning from Howard Stern 21:25 – Does a podcast really need video to succeed? 22:50 – Radio faces, self-deprecating humor, and old radio war stories 24:20 – Too many podcasts? Why niche and interest-based content win 27:15 – The decline of movie theaters and the streaming habit 28:50 – Marvel, Star Wars, and the magic of audience reactions 31:20 – Missing the big moment because you had to hit the bathroom 32:40 – Jaws, The Exorcist, and when movies truly scared people 33:45 – What we lose when we lose the shared theater experience 34:55 – New media vs Hollywood and the Markiplier “Iron Lung” moment 38:00 – How TV shows like “Nashville” reshaped the city’s image 40:20 – Behind-the-scenes Nashville TV stories and diva moments 45:00 – Reese Witherspoon, Music Row, and early film memories 50:20 – Modern TV, Law & Order, and aging into “get off my lawn” 51:40 – Schitt’s Creek, Christopher Guest mockumentaries, and Spinal Tap 2 53:00 – What podcasts the guys actually listen to 55:20 – Interest-based media, Gary V, and why you must aircheck yourself 56:40 – Joe Rogan, business pods, and the power of authenticity 58:00 – Johnny B’s favorite artist podcasts and “jacking around” 58:45 – Launching a niche redfishin
