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The Morning Brew with Chris Bennett
Ever wonder what really goes on at a small-town morning radio show?
The Morning Brew with Chris Bennett and Best Friends is your daily dose of real callers, big laughs, and unforgettable characters straight from QCountry 925 in Show Low, Arizona.
The Morning Brew with Chris Bennett
The 46-Year-Old Roommate: Toaster Strudels, Superbad & Cypress Hill
What happens when a 46-year-old Emmy Award-winning producer and a 21-year-old who's never lived away from home become roommates? As it turns out, a surprisingly harmonious relationship built on toaster strudels, Superbad viewings, and Cypress Hill concerts.
Fresh from headlining at Dead Crow Comedy Club in Wilmington, North Carolina, I spent the weekend crashing with my best friend Ryan and his young roommate Joey. Their dynamic immediately fascinated me – two men separated by 25 years sharing not just an apartment but also a workplace, as Joey works for Ryan's production company. When asked about living with someone going through midlife crisis, Joey's response was illuminating: "In reality, me and Ryan are the same." Ryan agreed, confessing with a laugh, "I do kind of live like a 21-year-old now."
Their relationship isn't without its teachable moments. Ryan gently guides Joey through the basics of cohabitation – from bathroom cleanliness to taking out the trash. But there's mutual respect and genuine friendship forming between these generational bookends. Our impromptu pop culture quiz revealed Joey's surprising knowledge of early 2000s entertainment despite being born in 2004, while Ryan struggled with current references like "Barbenheimer" and Sabrina Carpenter's viral TikTok dance.
The episode also features catch-ups with regular friends – Paul shares news from home and participates in an '80s pop culture trivia challenge, while Jineane calls in with updates on her recovery from a serious horse-riding accident. Her chosen motivational quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, "Do one thing every day that scares you," perfectly captures the spirit of growth that runs throughout this episode – whether it's a young adult taking his first steps toward independence or a middle-aged man embracing new perspectives through an unexpected friendship.
Listen now to this heartwarming exploration of how age is just a number when it comes to friendship, learning, and finding common ground in the most unexpected places.
Chris Bennett and the Morning Brew. I am on the phone with my best friend, emmy Award winning producer Ryan, a Payson graduate now living in Wilmington and really the guy responsible for my headlining weekend at Dead Crow Comedy Club. He recommended me to them and I'm so glad you did, buddy. Thank you so much. I had an amazing time. I crashed at your place the whole time that's right.
Speaker 2:Actually, you crashed at Joey and I's place, that's right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, the coolest thing is, uh, ryan doesn't have any kids, but he does have a roommate. You just uh got a 21 year old roommate, joey, who it was so much fun hanging out with you. And, joey, you took me downtown and you were the photographer for the infamous butt dance all around downtown Wilmington.
Speaker 3:I was about to say man, we did, butt stunts Don't forget about that.
Speaker 1:Joey, what was your first impression of me when you took me downtown and I was shaking my butt all over?
Speaker 3:Oh this guy's a lunatic. This guy's crazy, but he's a good crazy and, like I, absolutely loved it and it was so much fun and, yeah, it was a great time.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, it was so much fun, and Joey also runs security at Dead Crow did a great time. Yeah, yeah, it was so much fun, and Joey also runs security at Dead Crow Did a great job. Ran the door and you're living with an old man now. Is this your first time ever living outside of your parents' house? Yeah Well, yeah yeah.
Speaker 2:And guess what? Guess what, chris? What it shows, it shows.
Speaker 1:Yeah, when we come back, we're going to talk to Ryan and Joey about what it's like for Ryan living with a 21-year-old who's on his own for the first time, and a perspective from Joey finding out what it's like living with the guy going through a midlife crisis. Coming up next, joey, what is it like for you? You're living out of your parents' house for the first time. What is it like living with a single 46-year-old going through a midlife crisis?
Speaker 3:Dude, it's funny because people want me to talk about how different it is, or, yeah, what's like the different perspective, but in reality, me and ryan are the same, you know, oh no how are you?
Speaker 1:how are you and ryan, 46 year old?
Speaker 3:ryan, the same joey yesterday we went to a cypress hill concert and then afterwards, uh, we ate toaster, strudels, waffles and watched the movie Superbad.
Speaker 1:Ryan, do you agree with Joey that you two are just more alike than you are different?
Speaker 2:You know, I hadn't thought of it that way, but now that he's saying it, yeah, you know, I do kind of live like a 21-year-old now.
Speaker 1:And what's it like for you, ryan? You being a 46-year-old man living with a 21-year-old who's never lived outside his parents. What's that been like for you.
Speaker 2:Well, it's been interesting because Joey is also working for me right now uh, for my production business, and so I'm teaching him a lot, and it kind of carries over to teaching him how to live with somebody. You know, he um, let's just say, he misses the toilet sometimes, so I had to tell him to uh, you know, wipe that up. He uh, you know, says he's gonna take out the trash, and then it takes a couple days. But, you know, wipe that up. He, you know, says he's going to take out the trash, and then it takes a couple days. But you know, we're getting around to that.
Speaker 1:Joey, do you feel like you're improving?
Speaker 3:Actually I think that's a question for Ryan I do I mean, yeah, I mean like I got some things to work on, but I feel like I am.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he's good, he's improving, he's learning, he's a very nice boy and, uh, you know he he has no credit history, so he couldn't sign the lease. Uh, so for him to live with me, I legally had to adopt him. So that's been. I have a son now. I have congratulations.
Speaker 1:We are on the phone with my best friend, producer, ryan McKee, and his 21-year-old roommate, and now my best friend, joey, coming to us from Wilmington, north Carolina. Before I let you guys go, I thought we would do a little trivia. I want to find out how much Joey knows about pop culture when you and I were his age, ryan, and then I want to see how much you know about Joey's pop culture and see who has more knowledge. You guys ready, ready?
Speaker 2:Ready.
Speaker 1:All right, joey. Which boy band released the album Celebrity in 2001, featuring the hit Pop? Nsyncync oh my gosh, he's saying bye, bye, bye, bye, bye to losing to you, ryan. All right, uh, what about this one? In 2001, britney spears performed with the live snake at the mtv music Awards. What was the name of the song?
Speaker 3:Oh my god. Oops, I did it again. No, oops you were wrong.
Speaker 1:Do you know it, ryan? I don't know it, it's. I'm a slave. For you, alright, and last one for you, joey. Yes, sir, what animated film released in 2001 featured the voice of Mike Myers as a green ogre?
Speaker 3:Green ogre, what cartoon.
Speaker 1:Well, yeah, I guess you could call it a cartoon. It's an animated film.
Speaker 2:Animated film oh, shrek, shrek, yeah's an animated film.
Speaker 1:Animated film oh, shrek, shrek. Yeah, you weren't even born in 2001, were you?
Speaker 3:No, I was born in 2004.
Speaker 1:Oh, my gosh. And now, ryan, let's find out how much you know about Joey's pop culture. Do you know which artist released the hit song Expresso in 2024 that became a viral TikTok dance? Nope, oh, sabrina Carpenter.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, that's right. Yeah, yeah, you know, I produced and directed a show that Sabrina Carpenter was on.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's the one you won the Emmy for right. Yeah, that's right. Heck yeah. Do you know who headlined the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show?
Speaker 2:It was 2024. Oh yeah, it was Kendrick Lamar.
Speaker 1:That was 2025. 2024 was Usher and last one in 2023, ryan. Which movie broke box office records alongside Oppenheimer in the viral Barbenheimer phenomenon? Wait, read that again. Which movie broke box office records alongside Oppenheimer in 2023 in the viral Barbenheimer phenomenon?
Speaker 3:in the viral.
Speaker 2:Barbenheimer phenomenon. Let's say, I don't know, dude.
Speaker 1:Dude, I gave it, it's Barbie.
Speaker 2:Oh, barbenheimer, okay Did you know that, Joey what. Okay, he's not listening, never mind. Sorry, he's not listening, never mind.
Speaker 1:I'm sorry he's not listening. Well, best friends, thank you so much for letting me crash at your place and just treating me like an actual rock star this weekend. I miss you guys and I can't wait to get back to Wilmington and get you guys over here to Show Low. Can't wait.
Speaker 3:All right, I love you guys.
Speaker 1:See you, joey, remember, wipe up your pee.
Speaker 3:Yes, sir.
Speaker 4:See you, buddy, that's my blood. I said so. Yee, yee, yee.
Speaker 1:World traveler. Oh man, yeah, I had so much fun in Wilmington headlining Dead Crow Comedy Club and hanging out with my friend Ryan and his 21-year-old roommate Joey, but the thing I missed most was talking to you every day. What have I missed with being gone for a week in the life of Paul?
Speaker 4:Oh, dude man, just a lot of work. I went and played golf with Carson and Bradley and them Saturday. See, I smoked them. That's how much better he is. You know what I'm saying and you know I still didn't do great, but I did it. It's kind of bougie, isn't it, kurt Playing?
Speaker 1:golf, playing golf, and then anything else.
Speaker 4:Well, I played guitar and I was learning this Billy Strings lick and Rhonda wouldn't go take a bath and she came running. She got out. She came running back in there because I was watching him do like an interview and he was playing. And she came running in there and she was like, oh my God, I was like what she said? Oh, I thought that was you playing. You know what I wish it was. Thank you for being so optimistic.
Speaker 1:It is now time for. Are you Smarter Than a Redneck? I asked Ryan's 21-year-old roommate some pop culture trivias when I was 21. What year were you 21?, 90?, 90? Oh, 1990, you were 21. Do you want to do 80s pop culture trivia or 1980s?
Speaker 4:I don't remember much from the 80s, but let's do it All right, here we go.
Speaker 1:First one what American TV show from the 70s and 80s still holds the record for the most watched finale ever, with more than 100 million households.
Speaker 1:Paul, paul Madge, there you go. You ever watch that? I never watched it. Yeah, all right. Yeah All right. Originally given, that's this one's easy. Originally given the Japanese title Punkman. What 1980s arcade game was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for most successful coin-operated game in 2005?, chris, I'm going to say Pac-Man. There we go, got it right. All right, we're tied at one apiece First one to three wins. What 1985 John Hughes film features a group of uniquely different high school students All forced together for Saturday detention? Paul, 16 Candles, nope, no, no, breakfast Club.
Speaker 4:Oh, I'm up 2-.
Speaker 1:Breakfast Club. Breakfast Club oh.
Speaker 4:I'm up 2-0. Okay, it's the same people, it's the same people.
Speaker 1:Oh, I might win. I know this one. The fictional Atlanta interior decoration firm of Sugarbaker and Associates was the center of the action of what sitcom of the 80s and 90s? Oh my God, I know it, Paul.
Speaker 4:I sitcom of the 80s and 90s. Oh my God, right, I know it, paul. I'll give you a chance. I can tell you he was in it, sybil Shepard and Bruce Willis was in it.
Speaker 1:Nope, nope, nope, nope. This is Designing Women. You were thinking of Moonlighting.
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm smarter than a redneck fresh off from my trip to Wilmington, north Carolina. Paul, thanks for calling in, buddy, can't wait to talk to you tomorrow.
Speaker 4:Well, there's a lot of pizza in the 80s.
Speaker 1:All right, buddy, love you. Bye, bye, janine, are you home?
Speaker 5:Oh, Chris, I miss you I miss you.
Speaker 1:Oh, janine, we miss you so, so much. For those of you that may not know what happened to our poor Janine, can you give us just a quick recap of what happened? And really what I'm most interested in, janine, is how you're healing up.
Speaker 5:Yeah, quick recap is two weeks ago, yesterday out riding our horses with friends, another horse tried to kick and kill my horse but instead of hitting my horse got my calf while I was on the back of my horse and my calf basically was disintegrated. I got air back down to the valley, had surgery. Now I'm two weeks out and I still can't move yet. But I'm healing up well, daily pictures to the surgeon's office and they just don't want me moving the sutures. They want the sutures to hold. I don't want me moving the sutures. They want the sutures to hold. I don't want skin grafts, chris. No, no, so far so good. But my gosh, I'm going nuts here. I've got my jigsaw puzzle on the couch here on cookie trays. I've watched probably 17 series already. I'm watching all those series, chris, that my husband would never want to watch, like the Victorian ones where you know there's always scandalous.
Speaker 1:Like what's the best, most scandalous one that's got you hooked right now.
Speaker 5:Well, I love Overlander. That's a good, that's a. My brain is locking up now. Oh, bridgerton the Buccaneers. I've been watching all kinds of stuff. Lady Tatterley's Lover.
Speaker 1:That's a movie. Some of them are too juicy, like I put Bridgerton on for my mother-in-law because I thought she would like a timepiece. But it's a little spicy, janine, I know, but that's what I like, yeah, but my mother-in-law doesn't like it.
Speaker 5:As long as you're not sitting there with your mother-in-law watching it, exactly.
Speaker 1:So when do they think you'll be able to be back with us?
Speaker 5:I am hoping. I mean, I'm going day to day is what he's doing. I was hoping for today I could limp in on my crutches, but it's just too delicate. That's the problem. So I don't know if it's going to be later this week, maybe. I hope so. I hope I can give this a couple more days. And he said, yeah, try to walk, but this is my other thing. I've never been on crutches before and I'm a little bit fussy on them.
Speaker 5:I'm not great on crutches, so I I make my way 10 feet to the bathroom and back, and that's all I do. And then I get help with the shower. You know the shower chair, just lovely. I'm just really thrilled with this whole thing, not not?
Speaker 1:right. Well, I'm so sorry that you're having to go through this, best friend, but I'm glad to hear you're healing up and keeping yourself occupied with jigsaw puzzles and spicy romance.
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 1:We are back with our best friend, janine Ford, who is healing up, and we are going to get her motivated and you motivated, janine. I'll read the quotes, you tell me if they're good or bad and then, at the end, pick your favorite one for the week. You ready? Yeah, all right. Here's Nelson Mandela. He says it always seems impossible until it's done.
Speaker 1:I thought that was was that a good one? I thought it was a good one for you. Very good one, All right. Thomas Edison said opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. Good one, buddy, let's see. Eleanor Roosevelt said do one thing every day that scares you. What do you?
Speaker 5:think Scare you. Oh, I like that Be brave.
Speaker 1:Oh, okay. Ralph Waldo Emerson said what lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. And last one, stephen Wright said you can't have everything. Where would you put it?
Speaker 5:I would find a place. Yeah, those are good ones. I really like Nelson Mandela, but I've got to go with Eleanor Roosevelt because that's pushing ourselves a little bit every day to grow. So many of us just do the same old, same old. Attacking something that scares you every day would be a lot of growth. I like it.
Speaker 1:Awesome. The quote for the week. Eleanor Roosevelt do one thing every day that scares you. Janine, we love you and we hope you continue to heal up, and we can't wait to see you live in person.
Speaker 5:Thank you, chris. You have a great day, you too. Bye, thank you, buddy, bye-bye.
