I Listen So You Don't Have To: Steve Austin Show Ep. 158

Austin's most recent Unleashed episode is low-key Photo Credit WWE.com

If you're new, here's the rundown: I listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are better wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but these are the ones in my regular rotation that I feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If I can save other folks some time, I'm happy to do so.

Show: Steve Austin Show Unleashed
Episode: 158
Run Time: 1:13:42
Guest: Kristin Austin, Ted Fowler

Summary: Steve chats up his wife as she’s headed out the door to a Zumba class before checking in with Ted Fowler down at the Broken Skull Ranch. The guys discuss the deer herd, the upcoming hunting season some facility repairs, Ebola, global warming, cooking for one, Fowler’s softball team and lady friend situation, and more.

Quote of the week: Fowler: “I don’t see how you can put all the automobiles, the trains, the planes, the buses, the industry — you put all this stuff on the planet, have it go chugging along, belching out emissions like it is, and not have it jack with the atmosphere and the weather patterns. I think there’s very much to that global warming.”

Why you should listen: It’s been a while since Fowler has appeared on a Steve Austin Show. He’s a familiar voice and his repartee with Austin is comfortable. This is the kind of show that humanizes Austin and makes listeners feel like they know about their hero’s everyday life. That sort of invitation by Austin builds a devoted fanbase who have a personal investment in the show and the world it creates. Also, for someone as notable conservative as Fowler, his views on global warming are actually logical and refreshing.

Why you should skip it: It’s mainly a chat about Austin’s ranch, which isn’t really all that interesting, especially out of the context of a larger Austin fandom. There is almost zero talk about the world of wrestling (save for Austin suggesting a future episode might involve his real-time commentary on one of his most famous matches), and other than his personal and professional relationship with Austin, there’s zero reason for Fowler to be a podcast-worthy personality.

Final thoughts: Other than this being generally more amusing than Austin’s recent solo shows or talks with guests outside the wrestling universe, there’s no real reason to click the old download button.