Circling The Drain

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 redfishing podcast: Setting The Hook  

1:00:10 – Fly fishing shows, sponsors, and how deep niches can go  

1:00:46 – Why most new podcasts never make it past a few episodes  

1:02:00 – Insurance, bowhunting, and how to find a money-making niche  

1:03:26 – Knowing your audience and just letting proven talent work  

1:04:30 – Who actually listens to Circling The Drain  

1:06:08 – Why these stories matter and where to find the show