Podcasts vs Radio, Nashville Stories, and the New Media Gold Rush :: Ep 25 Circling the Drain Podcast

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

Follow Johnny B:

https://www.facebook.com/john.e.bozeman

Follow Jay Harper:

https://www.facebook.com/harperjeff

Follow Jim:

www.jmvos.com

Circling The Drain is produced by It's Your Show dot Co

www.itsyourshow.co