Episodes

  • Drunken Mistakes and Missing License Plates
    Jul 22 2025

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    Jay recounts a reckless driving incident from his youth that resulted in property damage, legal consequences, and important life lessons.

    • Jay and his friend went to a dance club where they consumed alcohol
    • After leaving, Jay drove recklessly, blowing through stop signs on the way home
    • While turning a corner near his grandparents' house, Jay crashed into a neighbor's yard and brick wall
    • The pair concocted a story about hitting a deer on the freeway
    • Police discovered Jay's license plate at the scene and came to question him
    • Jay had to apologize to the property owners, repair the damage, and go to court
    • The car, purchased just two months earlier, was totaled due to frame damage
    • The experience taught Jay an important lesson about not drinking and driving

    If you have an opportunity to review this show, we'd love to hear your stories too.


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    29 mins
  • Naked in the Spa: Tony's Unforgettable Anniversary Retreat
    Jul 15 2025

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    Tony recounts his recent three-day spa retreat celebrating his 24th wedding anniversary with his wife. The experience was filled with unexpected moments, awkward encounters, and surprising revelations about luxury pampering.

    • Confusion about spa dress code leads Tony to wear only a robe with nothing underneath
    • First-time facial experience with a specialist named after Tony's teenage crush (Topanga from Boy Meets World)
    • Luxurious hotel room with balcony where Tony vaped despite strict no-smoking policies
    • Security cameras potentially capturing Tony's naked balcony relaxation sessions
    • Debate about massage preferences – Tony explains why he prefers Asian massage therapists over white ones
    • Shock at spa pricing – basic services around $210-$230 with mandatory 20% gratuity plus expected additional tips
    • Tony's revelation about his monthly pedicure habit and relationship with his pedicurist Lili
    • Detailed description of hangnail removal process that sparked debate among hosts
    • Stealing a spa robe as a souvenir from the expensive weekend getaway


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    45 mins
  • The Auto Shop Showdown
    Jul 1 2025

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    Chris shares his frustrating experience with a car dealership over a warranty recall repair that turned into a multi-week ordeal of poor service and damaged car parts.

    • Chris receives repeated recall notices about a buzzing sound in his minivan's sliding door
    • Dealership makes him wait three weeks for an appointment, then doesn't have the needed part
    • When returning for the rescheduled repair, they damage his door panel and won't fix it immediately
    • The service manager tries to blame Chris for the damage and makes veiled threats about "being angry" when they have his car
    • A floor mat goes missing during service with no explanation
    • Tony shares a similar nightmare with his truck's oil change causing persistent "oil overfull" warnings
    • Discussion about the consistently poor quality of dealership service departments
    • Both agree these experiences ensure they'll never purchase vehicles from these dealerships again

    If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, hit the bell, and tell your friends about Top Shelf Stories - we want our stories to reach more people!


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    32 mins
  • Dog Bites and Human Fights
    Jun 24 2025

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    Jay and Chris discuss the uncomfortable realities of dealing with aggressive dogs while working in clients' homes, sharing personal stories of dog attacks and the complex aftermath.

    • Jay recounts getting bitten by a client's poodle and how he instinctively punched the dog to defend himself
    • Chris shares his more severe dog attack experience involving a Weimaraner that resulted in bleeding through his clothes
    • The hosts debate whether homeowners should be notified when their dogs bite contractors
    • Discussion about the legal implications of dog bites and homeowner responsibilities for providing safe work environments
    • Exploration of how dogs behave differently when their owners aren't present
    • Chris details a plumbing disaster that flooded a client's house in the same week as his dog bite
    • Warning about potential serious health consequences of dog bites, including infection risks
    • Advice for contractors on establishing clear boundaries about pets before beginning work

    If a dog has bitten you, even if it seems minor, please seek medical attention as infections can develop and lead to serious complications.


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    42 mins
  • Turbulence, Panic, and Puke: One Family's Air Travel Nightmare
    Jun 17 2025

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    Tony shares his harrowing experience flying back from Orlando with his 11-year-old son who has severe flight anxiety and his fearless 4-year-old who enjoyed tormenting his brother.

    • Tony's family vacation to Orlando included theme parks, Legoland, Disney, and daily trips to Universal CityWalk
    • The flight to Florida experienced one bad drop that triggered his son Chase's severe flight anxiety
    • Chase spent the entire week asking about turbulence and the safety of their return flight
    • A major storm delayed their return flight and created scary visuals at the airport with palm trees bending and tornado warnings
    • The return flight experienced constant turbulence, causing Chase to have multiple panic attacks
    • The situation reached its peak when Chase vomited, and the bag spilled all over Tony, Chase, and the floor
    • Flight attendant provided rubber gloves, napkins, and a garbage bag for Tony to clean up the mess himself
    • Despite the traumatic flight experience, the family has another flight planned for later in the summer
    • Tony contrasts his sons' personalities - his anxious 11-year-old versus his "absolute savage" 4-year-old who enjoys tormenting his brother


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    47 mins
  • Umphrey's McGee and Party Vibes
    Jun 10 2025

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    We dive into Chris's epic weekend house party that evolved into a 24-hour rager, complete with barbecue, fire pits, and an Umphrey's McGee concert adventure.

    • Chris hosted an all-day party that transformed from a pre-concert gathering to a sunrise after-party
    • The crew traveled to the Riverside Theater via city bus, where Chris befriended and smuggled a stranger named Isaac into the concert
    • Tony experienced his first Umphrey's McGee show and shares his honest impressions as a first-timer
    • The group reminisces about the dangers of flipping through CD binders while driving compared to today's voice-activated music
    • Party highlights included outdoor fire pits, projector setups, and guests partying until sunrise despite the time change

    If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Top Shelf Stories wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on social media for more behind-the-scenes content.


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    52 mins
  • Short Kids, Big Problems
    Jun 3 2025

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    Jay shares his concerns about his 12-year-old son being bullied at school, prompting a candid discussion about generational approaches to handling bullies and what parents can do when their children are targeted.

    • The hosts share personal experiences with bullying from their childhoods
    • Discussion of different strategies to counter bullies, including the "Eight Mile" approach of owning insults
    • Debate about whether each generation gets progressively "softer" than the last
    • Tony shares a story about being hit by a friend's father and his grandfather's reaction
    • The group explores how physical discipline has evolved across generations
    • Jay details his son's situation and the steps he's taken to address the bullying so far
    • The hosts weigh whether teaching a child to fight back is effective or potentially harmful
    • Consideration of whether "killing with kindness" works or just makes a target appear weaker
    • Acknowledgment that today's bullying extends beyond school through social media and technology
    • The consensus that at some point, standing up to bullies may be necessary, even if uncomfortable

    "Beat the shit out of your bully." - A controversial but heartfelt closing thought from Tony as the hosts wrap up their discussion of this challenging parenting situation.


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    49 mins
  • Revisiting 90s Fashion and the Generational Tech Divide
    May 27 2025

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    This episode delves into the challenges of parenting in a consumer-driven society, contrasting our childhood experiences with modern-day realities. We share personal stories highlighting the nostalgia of starter jackets and the implications of raising overly pampered children in an often disposable world.

    • Growing up with significant differences in childhood wealth
    • The importance of teaching kids the value of hard work
    • Reflections on iconic 90s fashion and nostalgia
    • The absurd evolution of children’s footwear trends
    • Balancing technology use with childhood experiences
    • Navigating the complexities of modern parenting

    If you enjoyed this episode, let us know how our stories resonate with your experiences!

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    30 mins