In this episode, Todd and Tony dive into the “slop” of modern media and the importance of authentic audience relationships. From the pitfalls of AI-generated April Fool’s jokes to the gritty reality of independent publishing, the duo discusses why building “brand love” requires real deposits of time and effort rather than just checking a box.

Later, Tony provides a cautionary review of the zombie sequels 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple, warning listeners about a surprising escalation in violence between parts one and two.

Key Discussion Points

* Damp April & Media Literacy: Tony discusses his “fat boy punishment juice” (water and weekend gin) while Todd reflects on how bad AI content on April Fool’s Day serves as a litmus test for poor media literacy.

* Deposits vs. Withdrawals: A deep dive into brand loyalty; why lazy AI posts are a “withdrawal” from your audience’s trust, whereas quality content that educates or entertains is a “deposit”.

* The Power of Niche Audiences: Why having 100 dedicated listeners in a specific industry (like Tony’s funeral industry podcast) is more valuable than chasing millions of “empty” views.

* Movie Review - 28 Years Later & The Bone Temple: A breakdown of the latest in the zombie franchise, featuring Ralph Fiennes, a “bone temple” ossuary, and a warning about extreme onscreen torture.

* The Business of “No”: Tony and Todd discuss the importance of valuing their work, avoiding “free” projects for ungrateful clients, and “showing up for yourself” like Olympic athletes.

Show Notes

* Health and Aging: The hosts discuss the realities of getting older, including Tony’s recent bout with gout after a trip to New Jersey and his choice to swap alcohol for 5mg THC tea drinks to manage his “dopamine hit” later in the day.

* Sponsor Spotlight: Dewey Raw: Todd introduces his other podcast, Dewey Raw, a “party podcast” featuring behind-the-scenes looks and on-the-street interviews from Dewey Beach.

* Podcast Fandom and Feedback: A humorous segment on listener engagement, including a “scathing” text from a fan (Josh) and the adoption of the fan nickname “Raw Doggers” for Dewey Raw listeners.

* Substack and Social Media Tips: Discussion on using Substack’s chat function and leveraging video frames in Canva to drive Facebook traffic to niche websites like on deathcare.com.

* Scams in the Funeral Industry: Tony highlights a growing scam where predators use obituaries to call grieving families, pretending to be from a funeral home to demand extra money for cremations.

* Return to Political Coverage: Tony announces his new “Destination Delmar” political section starting Monday. He expresses frustration with local apathetic voters and the lack of involvement in town meetings despite virtual access.

* New Business Ventures: Todd shares plans for a property management newsletter/podcast project aimed at helping businesses create evergreen content through recorded interviews.

Todd and Tony are back to discuss why everyone’s headshot is terrible, the “ick” factor of AI filters, and Tony’s deep dive into the surprisingly cheap history of Ocean Pines. They also cover the return of 2000s-era digital cameras at the Starboard and how to use robots to edit your writing without losing your soul.

This Week:

* The Headshot Intervention: Tony and Todd plead with realtors and professionals to stop using photos from 1980 or “sloppy” selfies with poles growing out of their heads.

* The Uncanny Valley: A look at why AI-generated photos and filters feel unsettling, like a “caricature drawing at a school bazaar”.

* Vintage Tech is Back: Todd spots a swarm of University of Delaware seniors ditching iPhones for old-school “one-shot” digital cameras during opening weekend.

* Ocean Pines for a Bargain: Tony shares a rumor from his upcoming history book that the entire development may have sold for just $1.4 million in 1968.

* Drones and Palm Trees: Todd shows off a new drone with “object avoidance” to prevent a repeat of his Florida palm tree casualty.

* Working with the Robots: How Tony uses AI as a “copy editor” to fix his snarky tangents and improve his writing productivity.

* Dewey Raw Live: Details on catching the crew live at the Starboard for opening weekend festivities.

Welcome back to Day Drinking on Delmarva. In this episode, Todd returns from a month-long hiatus in Florida while Tony shares major career updates and a deep dive into the business of death care.

Episode Summary

The “Snowbird” Life

Todd shares his experience spending a month in the Florida Keys, specifically Key Largo and Islamorada. After surviving a brutal cold snap on Delmarva, Todd spent two weeks relaxing by a canal-side pool. He notes the unique perspective of getting a “summer” experience in February, something local beach business owners rarely enjoy during their own peak season.

Career Pivots and Substack

Tony reveals he has quit his job to become his own publisher. He has moved his focus to Substack, launching a podcast series on the Ocean City Film Festival and a new niche industry project called On Deathcare. Tony discusses the early success of these newsletters, noting high open rates and the unique community growing within the death care space.

The Business of Death

The duo explores the “final act” of life through a capitalist lens. Tony shares insights from a recent survey by a death care lawyer:

* Cremation Trends: While most people choose cremation, it is often their “second choice,” primarily driven by cost.

* Alternative Methods: They discuss “aquamation” (alkaline hydrolysis), which is often restricted by protectionist laws in the funeral industry.

* Gen Z Preferences: Interestingly, younger generations express interest in traditional state-style funerals and open caskets but are often resistant to embalming—a combination that presents significant logistical “unpleasantness.”

The Digital “Condemned Building”

They share a mutual exhaustion with Facebook, which Tony compares to trying to find a place for new graffiti in a filthy, condemned building. Both hosts emphasize moving their energy toward platforms like Substack and Beehiiv for more authentic connection and better business sustainability.

Upcoming Delmarva Events

* Ocean City Film Festival: Celebrating its 10th anniversary.

* Oceans Calling: Tickets are on sale for the massive beach concert featuring a newly released artist lineup.

* St. Patrick’s Day: The Ocean City parade and Dewey Beach opening weekends (including the Starboard) are just around the corner.

* Freeman Arts Pavilion: New stage construction is underway with a long-format video project in the works.

Todd and Tony explore the evolution of content creation, the purpose behind Good Clean Fun Life, and the importance of marketing strategies that focus on what Todd calls the “Three Es.” Tony shares his career transition and future plans, emphasizing the importance of writing and community involvement.

In this episode, Todd and Tony discuss the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Ocean City Film Festival, featuring a planned appearance by Patton Oswalt and a retrospective on the event's growth from a grassroots project to a prestigious regional festival.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET INFORMATION

Todd shares reflections on his recent trip to the Poconos and his 15-year career documenting life at the beach, while Tony outlines his new investigative research into the intersection of burial traditions, law, and environmental concerns.

The hosts also check in on their "Damp January" progress and a potential comedy sketch regarding the realities of life in your 50s.

Happy New Year (for real this time)! Todd and Tony return to the mics to recap their holiday breaks and set the tone for 2026. Todd shares the story of his “agent of chaos” moment in Berlin, Maryland: creating a DIY New Year’s Eve ball out of chicken wire and empty beer cans after the town nixed the midnight drop in favor of a 6:00 PM “kids’ countdown.”

The conversation takes a sharp (and hilarious) turn as Tony launches into a passionate manifesto against “children-forward America,” the “grandparentization” of local government, and why staying up until midnight is a right that must be earned. Plus, Tony reveals the accidental purchase of 5,000 “permanent” Christmas cards, Todd celebrates his wife finally listening to his other podcast, and the duo discusses the value of building community over chasing virality in the new year.

Toward the end of the show, we talk about putting this out before the new year. I regret the error. – Ed.

In this episode of Day Drinking on Delmarva, Todd and Tony attempt a year in review, discussing the importance of marketing, the impact of AI on content creation, and their personal growth experiences.

They explore the evolution of communication in the digital age, share insights from local culture and film, and emphasize the role of collaboration in creative projects. The conversation wraps up with aspirations for the future and a festive holiday greeting.