Overview of 915. - Chris & Jason
This episode of How Long Gone (episode 915) is a freewheeling conversation between hosts Chris Black and Jason Stewart. The talk moves across personal travel stories, cannabis culture and pre-roll product talk, nostalgia for classic strains (especially Sour Diesel), debates about rolling technique and filters, lean/purple‑drank culture, music and festival/variety‑show commentary (notably Vince Staples’s Taco Bell–backed variety show), Paris trip impressions (Loewe hospitality), live music (Cat Power), pop production (Kid Harpoon/Harry Styles), restaurant industry controversy (Rene Redzepi/Noma), and skepticism about supplements/peptides and modern ad-driven wellness culture. The episode contains several long ad reads (Squarespace, Quince, Nordstrom Rack, Venmo, Two Good Coffee Creamers).
Key topics discussed
- Cannabis culture and product updates
- Hosts discuss How Long Gone branded pre-rolls (sold out) and testing new terpene/flavor combinations for a 2.0 run.
- Strong nostalgia for “classic” NYC sour diesel — conversation about branding vs. origin (grown in California, “made” on Madison Avenue).
- Rolling technique debate: papers vs. pre-rolls, filters (“filters for pussies” comment), blunts vs. joints.
- Lean / purple‑drank and youth drug culture
- Discussion of diminished prominence but continued cultural visibility of promethazine/cough‑syrup abuse (“lean gut”) and its visual appeal (double cup, purple mixing).
- Comments about how accessibility and cost have altered who abuses it.
- Travel, jet lag and Paris trip impressions
- Both hosts discuss recent travel; one describes being physically off but mentally fine after long flights.
- Chris and Jason recount a Loewe‑sponsored trip to Paris — highlights: good hospitality, fashion show observations, and appreciation for the city’s flow and people.
- Music, live events and personalities
- Debate over Lil Yachty (personality vs. music) — joking preference for watching him play Uno rather than perform.
- Vince Staples’s Taco Bell–backed variety show (“Live Moss”) on Peacock: hosts read and react to the eclectic lineup (Benson Boone, Anderson .Paak, Doja Cat, athletes and personalities) and wonder about curation/targeting youth markets.
- Cat Power concert (Webster Hall): praise for her vocal performance and the crowd.
- Kid Harpoon and Harry Styles: conversation about modular synth use in production and how new approaches can change an artist’s sound.
- K‑pop presence at fashion events and the cultural scale of idol fandom.
- Restaurant culture and controversy
- Discussion of a New York Times piece alleging abusive behavior by René Redzepi (Noma) — public shaming, physical aggression toward staff, and the larger debate about “how kitchens have always been” vs. accountability.
- Supplements, peptides, Viagra and wellness skepticism
- Listener note urging men to consider Viagra; hosts discuss cultural awareness, male loneliness, and the prevalence of direct‑to‑consumer sexual‑health startups (Hims, BlueChew).
- Skepticism about the supplement industry: ad fatigue, unclear benefit vs. cost, and a joking wish for a “drug accountant” to manage costs and benefits.
- Live‑show etiquette and creators
- Discussion about photographers/content creators taking over good seats — debate about entitlement and boundaries at shows (hardcore/DIY scene anecdotes about policing behavior).
Notable moments & quotes
- “You grew here, you flew here.” — joking line about NYC branding vs. actual production of weed (captures the hosts’ playful skepticism about modern marketing).
- Anecdote: a friend returning from a “late night dalliance” saying “my dick feels 17 again” — used to illustrate the immediate, perceptible effects people describe after trying ED treatments.
- On rolling: “Filters for pussies.” — blunt, provocative mic‑moment reflecting one host’s preference against filters.
- Reaction to the Noma article: hosts call the alleged physical abuse “a bridge too far,” while discussing generational excuses in kitchen culture.
- Humorous recurring bits: banter about who got Paris Pilled, the “lean gut,” and the hosts’ ad reads delivered in character.
Ads & sponsors (what was promoted)
- Squarespace — website building with code howlong for 10% off.
- Quince — wardrobe essentials, free shipping and 365‑day returns via quince.com/howlong.
- Nordstrom Rack — sales and benefits of Nordy Club.
- Venmo College Card — cash back benefits for students.
- Two Good Coffee Creamers — closing sponsor shout. (Hosts read long-form ad copy integrated into the episode.)
Main takeaways
- The episode is conversational and anecdotal: much of the value is in the hosts’ personalities and the back‑and‑forth rather than structured reporting.
- Nostalgia and branding are recurring themes — whether about classic cannabis strains, music production approaches, or how restaurants mythologize the past.
- There’s a healthy skepticism about wellness/supplement marketing and the economics of modern lifestyle drugs and products.
- The show balances lighter pop‑culture takes (Vince Staples’s lineup, Lil Yachty) with more serious cultural critiques (abuse allegations in high‑end restaurants).
Suggested follow‑ups (if you want to explore further)
- Read the NYT piece on René Redzepi/Noma for the full reporting and context.
- Watch/stream the Vince Staples Taco Bell “Live Moss” variety show on Peacock to judge the lineup for yourself.
- Check out Cat Power’s live performances and the albums mentioned (You Are Free, Moon Pix, The Greatest).
- If you care about cannabis history: look up Sour Diesel origins and NYC underground strain lore for better context.
- Research direct‑to‑consumer sexual‑health services (Hims, BlueChew) for legitimate options and medical guidance before using ED medications.
Tone & audience
- Casual, irreverent, and often profane — the episode targets listeners who enjoy conversational podcasts with pop‑culture takes, inside jokes, sponsorship theater, and personality‑driven banter.