Best Dwayne Smith Podcasts (2025)

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Will AI Kill Your Job? w/ Brian Merchant 59:52

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3d ago59:52

59:52

Paris Marx is joined by Brian Merchant to discuss whether the AI bubble is about to burst and how bosses are deploying AI tools to kill jobs and degrade work. Brian Merchant is the author of Blood in the Machine and writes a newsletter of the same name. Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with …

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Fired For Comedy w/ Tim Smith and Olivia Carter 50:43

4d ago50:43

50:43

Two Chicago comedy legends, Tim Smith and Olivia Carter, join the pod this week. Olivia is fresh off her Tonight Show appearance, and Tim's fresh off his honeymoon. The gang immediately gets into talking about Clairo and how Drago has listened to her in intimate settings. Olivia talks about her time on Feeld and getting kicked off the app. Tim shar…

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How China’s Renewable Push Upends Geopolitics w/ Kate Mackenzie & Tim Sahay 1:01:19

10d ago1:01:19

1:01:19

Paris Marx is joined by Kate Mackenzie and Tim Sahay to discuss the geopolitics behind China’s investments in green tech and electrification, and how it presents the prospect of a new development model based on renewables instead of fossil fuels. Kate Mackenzie is an adjunct fellow at Macquarie University. Tim Sahay is co-director of the Net Zero I…

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Apology Texts, Social Anxiety & Approaching Female Comics w/ Yvette Segan 51:34

11d ago51:34

51:34

Yvette Segan, comedian and host of Friend Crush Podcast, joins the pod this week. A good friend of Drago, Yvette was recently on the receiving end of a late-night girls gab call from him, where she helped break down a situation involving two women hitting on him after a show. This leads to Drago unpacking the origin story of his social anxiety. Yve…

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Why Countries Must Fight For Digital Sovereignty w/ Cecilia Rikap 59:38

17d ago59:38

59:38

Paris Marx is joined by Cecilia Rikap to discuss how countries’ dependence on US tech companies is harming them and why they need to get serious about digital sovereignty. Cecilia Rikap is Associate Professor in Economics at University College London and Head of Research at the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose. Tech Won’t Save Us offers …

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Canadian Culture, Different Stages of Dating & Squeezing the Goose w/ Henry Sir and Tucker Brookshire 55:54

19d ago55:54

55:54

All the way from Canada, Henry Sir joins the pod alongside returning guest Tucker Brookshire. Together, they’re two of the coldest white boys Drago knows. The boys jump right in, asking Henry what the culture is like up in the Great White North, and the conversation quickly turns to talk about cigarettes and Zyn – including a story of Alex going ho…

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Will the Pope Be An Ally Against AI? w/ Paolo Benanti 56:22

24d ago56:22

56:22

Paris Marx is joined by Paolo Benanti to discuss what Pope Leo XIV’s statements on AI, the publications under Pope Francis, and the ethics of AI from a theological perspective. Paolo Benanti is an author, academic, and priest. He teaches at the Pontifical Gregorian University and was an advisor to Pope Francis on artificial intelligence and technol…

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Interviewing Adult Film Stars, NYC Living & Eating Cronuts w/ JJ Lieberman 51:29

25d ago51:29

51:29

Comedian and host of the 2 Goons podcast, JJ Lieberman, joins the pod. Alex fills in JJ on his landlord drama, and JJ says the recording studio is nicer than his apartment. In the current political climate, Drago admits that no one is coming after the Serbians in America. As a bi man, JJ discusses the difference between Eastern European men’s and w…

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What Google Zero Means for Journalism w/ Matt Pearce 1:01:21

1M ago1:01:21

1:01:21

Paris Marx is joined by Matt Pearce to discuss how Google’s use of generative AI is sending far less traffic to all manner of websites, but especially news publications, and what that might mean for the future of journalism. Matt Pearce is Director of Policy at Rebuild Local News and a former reporter at the Los Angeles Times. Tech Won’t Save Us of…

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Want to Keep Your Best People? Start Listening Differently 44:06

1M ago44:06

44:06

What if the key to stronger leadership, deeper relationships, and greater retention isn't about having the right answers, but about asking the right questions? In this episode, I sit down with Thomas Knoll, a six-time founder, mentor to over 1,200 leaders, and the creator of Self Healing Leadership and the GetEleven app. Together, we explore how cu…

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Dog Dad Life, Ruined Family Ties & Why NYC Does It Best w/ Lucas Zelnick 45:33

1M ago45:33

45:33

Comedian and member of Drago’s inner circle, Lucas Zelnick, joins the pod. Taking some time off from the road, Lucas shares what he’s been learning in acting class. As a new dog dad, he lays out why having a dog is way harder than being a parent—especially when you're working the graveyard shift at the Cellar. Drago tells the story of attending a f…

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Trump’s Crypto Profiteering Is Worse Than You Think w/ Jacob Silverman 1:00:12

1M ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Paris Marx is joined by Jacob Silverman to discuss Sequoia partner Shaun Maguire’s Islamophobic attack on Zohran Mamdani, what it tells us about the state of tech’s politics, and how Donald Trump is enriching himself through crypto scams. Jacob Silverman is a journalist and the author of the forthcoming book Gilded Rage: Elon Musk and the Radicaliz…

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Landlord Drama, Farting While Dating, and Our Friend Dwayne w/ Ben Katzner and Sam Evans 51:13

1M ago51:13

51:13

This week we’ve got a duo: comedians Ben Katzner and Sam Evans join the pod! Both Ben and Sam are coming out with specials this year, so be on the look out! Learning Ben has a GIANT beautiful home in Minneapolis, they get into how wild it feels to go from NYC to the suburbs. Sticking with housing, Alex gives an update on Drago’s landlord—who’s tryi…

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S3.E10: Landon Smith (Singer/Songwriter) 56:20

1M ago56:20

56:20

Send us a text Landon Smith is a Folk/Country singer & songwriter based in Nashville. Before moving to the music capital of the world, Smith was rocking frat parties at Georgia Southern just like Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell. Landon's strong voice and stage precence has won over large crowds while opening for Gavin Adcock, Ella Langley and Riley Gr…

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Decomputing For a Better Future w/ Dan McQuillan 58:22

2M ago58:22

58:22

Paris Marx is joined by Dan McQuillan to discuss the global push by governments to rapidly adopt AI at all costs and how citizens can critically rethink our dependence on these technologies while imagining a collective future that benefits everyone. Dan McQuillan is a lecturer at Goldsmiths College, University of London and the author of Resisting …

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You’re Not Burnt Out. You’re Disconnected From Purpose 40:32

2M ago40:32

40:32

You’ve done the work. You’ve led the teams. On paper, it looks like success, but something still feels off. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Yosi Amram, a former tech CEO who walked away from achievement alone to explore something deeper. Now a psychologist and expert in spiritual intelligence, Yosi helps leaders reconnect with purpose, clarity…

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Am I Too Tall To Be Gay? w/ Jared Goldstein 53:12

2M ago53:12

53:12

Bi-costal comedian and host of “Sorry, What? Podcast”, joins the pod this week! Drago jumps in on some unfortunate news that his sweet Serbian landlord is trying to kick him out so her son can move into his apartment. She even keeps sending him apartment listings. Jared comes up with the completely reasonable solution of having the landlord’s son l…

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Microsoft is Gutting the Video Game Industry w/ Nathan Grayson 55:09

2M ago55:09

55:09

Paris Marx is joined by Nathan Grayson to discuss the latest round of Microsoft layoffs and how the company’s ambition to remake the video game industry around its streaming service has had significant consequences. Nathan Grayson is a co-founder of Aftermath and author of Stream Big: The Triumphs and Turmoils of Twitch and the Stars Behind the Scr…

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TikTok Ruined Saturdays For Boyfriends w/ Joe Nunnink 57:22

2M ago57:22

57:22

Joe Nunnik, a comedian with a new special out titled Keep The Change, is on the pod this week! Recording right after the Fourth of July weekend, the boys reflect on why vacations are never relaxing—and how staycations might be the move. Talking celebrity fandom, Drago recalls a New Jersey man he knew growing up who took a candid photo of Bruce Spri…

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How the US Weaponizes Tech in the Middle East w/ Laleh Khalili 53:32

2M ago53:32

53:32

Paris Marx is joined by Laleh Khalili to discuss how the United States uses its control of key technologies to shift global power dynamics, and how that specifically plays out in the Middle East. Laleh Khalili is Professor of Gulf Studies at the University of Exeter and author of the forthcoming book Extractive Capitalism. Tech Won’t Save Us offers…

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Finding Purpose When Plans Change 41:49

2M ago41:49

41:49

In this episode, we're joined by Cameron Dobbs, former NCAA Division I athlete, author, speaker, and founder of Play Where Your Feet Are. After a series of back-to-back brain injuries ended her volleyball career, Cameron was forced to rethink everything. What followed was a powerful transformation that led to a mindset and movement focused on doing…

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Influencer With A Day Job w/ Talia Lichstein 54:29

2M ago54:29

54:29

And the reason Talia has to have a day job is Dave Portnoy. An internet take by this week’s guest, Talia Lichstein (influencer and friend of the pod), about Dave and his dog got back to the man behind Barstool—and it’s safe to say Dave did not like her perspective. Outside of that, Talia talks about dating as an influencer, her thoughts on a new fe…

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The Geopolitical Fight Over Huawei w/ Yangyang Cheng 54:05

2M ago54:05

54:05

Paris Marx is joined by Yangyang Cheng to discuss how Huawei became one of the most powerful companies in China and how current geopolitical narratives distract from the issues at the heart of surveillance capitalism in the US and China. Yangyang Cheng is a Research Scholar in Law and Fellow at Yale Law School’s Paul Tsai China Center. Tech Won’t S…

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Dumpster Diving w/ Chloe Radcliffe 56:03

2M ago56:03

56:03

Back by popular demand: Chloe Radcliffe! Chloe teases that she recently filmed something with an A-list celebrity but can’t share more about it. Drago talks about his recent move before the conversation takes a turn—Chloe reveals she dumpster dives for groceries. Drago checks in on Chloe’s long-distance relationship and gives some updates on his ow…

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Chatbots Are Repeating Social Media’s Harms w/ Nitasha Tiku 53:48

2M ago53:48

53:48

Paris Marx is joined by Nitasha Tiku to discuss how AI companies are preying on users to drive engagement and how that’s repeating many of the problems we’re belatedly trying to address with social media companies at an accelerated pace. Nitasha Tiku is a technology reporter at the Washington Post. Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective o…

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Navigating Leadership Across a Divided World 37:38

3M ago37:38

37:38

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Marshall, President and CEO of Semester at Sea, a global education program that’s been transforming lives for over 60 years. Scott leads a floating university that sails across continents, bringing together students from all walks of life. I was curious to learn what it takes to lead in such a dynamic, multicu…

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S3.E9: Dwayne Harris (NFL Pro Bowl Punt Returner) 1:40:08

2M ago1:40:08

1:40:08

Send us a text Dwayne Harris is one of the most dynamic special teams players to ever lace 'em up in the NFL. Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, a Pro Bowler with the Giants and a dangerous weapon for Raiders. Harris shares great stories about his playing days at ECU, getting yelled at by Jason Witten, catching balls from Tony Romo and Eli Manning and …

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Auditioning for SNL w/ J.P. McDade 53:26

2M ago53:26

53:26

Roast battler, award show writer, and tall man J.P. McDade joins the pod this week. The man literally showed up late with wing sauce on the edge of his mouth, so you know it’s going to be a good episode. Despite being taller than Drago, J.P. shares why he never played college ball. He also talks about auditioning for SNL during the pandemic and mak…

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Brazil's Battle to Rein In Big Tech w/ Laís Martins 57:52

3M ago57:52

57:52

Paris Marx is joined by Laís Martins to discuss the recent enforcement measures against tech companies like X and Rumble in Brazil, how the country is grappling with the overreach of US tech companies, and the wider discussion about tech policy in Brazil. Laís Martins is a technology reporter at The Intercept Brasil. Tech Won’t Save Us offers a cri…

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Indiana Pride w/ Adam Gilbert 1:00:00

3M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Indiana native and recently passed Cellar comedian Adam Gilbert is on the pod. With the Pacers in the finals, the boys jump right into some basketball talk. Adam and Drago bond over home-state pride and discover that Indiana’s signature dish is the pork tenderloin sandwich. The boys reminisce about drinking together back in Chicago and how that’s c…

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S3.E8: Skyler Higley (Comedian) 1:01:51

3M ago1:01:51

1:01:51

Send us a text Skyler Higley is a standup comedian/writer who's written for Conan O'Brien, The Onion, The New Yorker, After Midnight, Going Dutch and The Mark Twain Prize on Netflix. You can see Skyler's Comedy Central standup special and his Just for Laughs showcase on YouTube.By Stars Volta Studios

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We All Suffer from OpenAI’s Pursuit of Scale w/ Karen Hao 51:18

3M ago51:18

51:18

Paris Marx is joined by Karen Hao to discuss how Sam Altman’s goal of scale at all costs has spawned a new empire founded on exploitation of people and the environment, resulting in not only the loss of valuable research into more inventive AI systems, but also exacerbated data privacy issues, intellectual property erosion, and the perpetuation of …

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Lessons from Trump’s Presidency 31:35

3M ago31:35

31:35

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Philippe Johnson, a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, leadership expert, and author of What Hangs in the Balance. With a decorated 24-year military career and a deep understanding of ethical leadership, Philippe brings a grounded, no-nonsense perspective to one of the most controversial figures in …

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Competitive Bird Watching w/ Max St. John 52:20

3M ago52:20

52:20

Bird watcher, hardcore music fan, and hilarious comedian Max St. John joins the pod. Coming off the high of hanging out with Peach Pit last week, Drago and Max compare experiences backstage with bands. With Max being a fan of punk shows, Alex asks what it’s like being in the mosh pit at age 32. Max dives into his love of birdwatching and how it’s b…

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The New Military Industry Complex w/ Sam Biddle 57:06

3M ago57:06

57:06

Paris Marx is joined by Sam Biddle to discuss how Silicon Valley is shamelessly courting government military contracts, using tactics to silence employee dissent and normalize the situation to the public, and what it all means for the future of military geopolitics. Sam Biddle is a senior technology reporter at The Intercept. Tech Won’t Save Us off…

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S3.E7: Lee Beebe Jr (RB - Indiana University) 36:34

3M ago36:34

36:34

Send us a text Lee Beebe Jr. is a redshirt Junior running back at Indiana University. Before the Big Ten, Beebe walked-on to UAB football team, earned a scholarship and became the Blazers starting RB. While in Birmingham, Lee accumulated 1,600 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdown in 2 active season. This off-season he decided to transfer to IU to joi…

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Hanging With The Band w/ Tommy Bayer 54:42

3M ago54:42

54:42

A scrappy six-foot, 143-pound stand-up comic and certified guy who does stuff, Tommy Bayer joins the pod this week. After hearing how Tommy is trying to put on weight so he can body more people on the court, Alex shares how he’s the heel of his group chat. Alex recaps being invited to the Peach Pit show, sparking jealousy from Tommy—because Tommy d…

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The Case for a Digital Detox w/ Casey Johnston 55:18

3M ago55:18

55:18

Paris Marx is joined by Casey Johnston to discuss why she pared back on social media, made her smartphone much dumber, and what she learned about how bodies are treated online through her fitness journey. Casey Johnston is the creator of the She’s A Beast newsletter and author of A Physical Education: How I Escaped Diet Culture and Gained the Power…

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The Leadership Style That’s Holding You Back 35:18

3M ago35:18

35:18

In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Eikenberry - bestselling author, leadership expert, and Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. With over 30 years of experience helping leaders grow, Kevin brings a fresh take on why leaning too heavily on your leadership style can actually limit your impact. We talk about how strengths can bec…

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Social Crimes w/ Shaunak Godkhindi 55:33

3M ago55:33

55:33

Hilarious comic from Atlanta, Shaunak Godkhindi joins the pod this week. The boys talk about growing up as athletes and the many similarities between being a high-level athlete and being a comedian. This comparison reminds Drago of the time his ex hung out with an NFL star while they were still dating. The boys invent a new type of law enforcement:…

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Generative AI is Not Inevitable w/ Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna 53:13

4M ago53:13

53:13

Paris Marx is joined by Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna to discuss the harms of generative AI, how the industry keeps the public invested while companies flounder under the weight of unmet promises, and what people can do to push back. Emily M. Bender is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics at University of Washington. Alex Hanna is Director…

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Inside The Psych Ward w/ Jamie Wolf 1:00:24

4M ago1:00:24

1:00:24

Good hang, strong man, hilarious comic Jamie Wolf joins the pod this week. The boys start off talking like boys sharing their deep thoughts on good ~member~ days and bad ~member~ days. Quickly, Drago goes Larry King mode and asks Jamie about his recent experience being admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Jamie shares the whole story from his ideati…

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Elon Musk is Remaking the US Space Program w/ Tim Fernholz 1:00:57

4M ago1:00:57

1:00:57

Paris Marx is joined by Tim Fernholz to discuss how Elon Musk’s influence in the White House is shaping the US Space Program, why he’s pushing NASA toward Mars instead of the Moon, and whether the Starship rocket is in trouble. Tim Fernholz is a senior reporter at Payload Space and the author of Rocket Billionaires: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and the N…

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Diversity Is Your Competitive Edge 32:35

4M ago32:35

32:35

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Carl Sharperson Jr., a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, former Marine Corps pilot, corporate executive and now a sought after leadership strategist and author. With a career that bridges the military and Fortune 500 boardrooms, Carl brings a unique lens to the conversation on leadership, authenticity and high …

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How To Be Broke & Do It Right w/ Tucker Brookshire 51:27

4M ago51:27

51:27

Hilarious, no-longer broke, self-proclaimed GOAT and Jordan Peterson-adjacent, Tucker Brookshire joins the pod. Drago wastes no time jumping in on Tucker’s fashion choices and asking the legend himself: what can white people say these days? Big news—Tucker’s no longer broke. As a man who spent many years not making much money but still living well,…

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The Roots of Elon Musk’s War On Empathy w/ Julia Carrie Wong 52:20

4M ago52:20

52:20

Paris Marx is joined by Julia Carrie Wong to discuss Elon Musk’s recent opposition to empathy, how it comes out of the Christian right, and the relationship it has to previous discussions of longtermism. Julia Carrie Wong is a features writer at The Guardian. Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society…

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What You Do For Cheap Rent w/ Chris Barnes 1:02:18

4M ago1:02:18

1:02:18

Native New Yorker, comedian, and host of the No Thanks, We're Good podcast, Chris Barnes joins the pod this week. Right away, the boys dive into nightmare New York City apartment stories—landlords barging in, firefighters breaking down the door, cockroaches, and more. Chris talks about what it’s like being a New York Jets fan and how he left sports…

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How Brainrot AI is Upending the Internet w/ Jason Koebler 53:38

4M ago53:38

53:38

Paris Marx is joined by Jason Koebler to discuss the economy behind AI slop generation, how people are building businesses on AI-generated images, and the wider consequences of their proliferation on social media. Jason Koebler is a cofounder of 404 Media and cohost of the 404 Media Podcast. Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech,…

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The Rising Demand for Blue-Collar Careers 34:34

4M ago34:34

34:34

Ken Rusk is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and blue-collar advocate. From snow-plowing teenager to founder of a landscaping and construction firm with over 200 employees, he penned Blue Collar Cash and launched the “Path to a Successful Life” course, guiding hundreds into debt-free, skills-based careers. This episode explores the surge in dema…

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Drago Learns Why He’s Dumb w/ Erik Scott 51:42

4M ago51:42

51:42

Comedian, hot guy, and man of many odd past jobs, Erik Scott joins the pod this week. The boys jump in on some of the spicy DMs they’ve received after shows and how voting has helped attract women. And Drago finally learns what it is that might make him dumb—idioms are hard. Erik talks about what it was like dating another comic in the scene and ho…