What does it really take to become an orthopedic surgeon? In this episode, we walk through the journey from deciding to go all in on orthopedics to finally landing the job. We share stories from the highs and lows of training, including the chaos of Match Day, the relentless hours spent in the hospital, and the experiences that shape surgeons long before they ever operate independently. Honest, insightful, and real, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the path to orthopedic surgery.

In this episode of Average Until You Ask, Shaun returns—and this time, he brings his brother Chris. What follows is a no-holds-barred trip through their shared childhood, packed with legendary “Big Man” lessons, brown liquor trauma, runaway road trips, and a father whose discipline involved jogging around the block in the dead of winter.

From Southern Comfort disasters, hitchhikers, private planes, and a mother whose wrath was as fierce as her love, the Erny brothers prove that growing up was anything but average.

It’s funny, raw, uncomfortable, and deeply human—a lifetime of family stories, brotherhood, and hard-earned perspective, told exactly the way it happened.

This episode flips the script. Instead of a guest, the hosts of Average Until You Ask look back on the moments, stories, and surprises that made the show what it is so far. From laugh-out-loud highlights and unforgettable guests to personal shout-outs and goals looking ahead, it’s an unscripted, honest reflection on why no one’s ever truly average.

Shout Out Energy runs high in this episode of Average Until You Ask.

What started as a normal night at a comedy show turned into an unexpected moment when Bo Cowan — a stand-up comic, storyteller, and professional shout-out machine — got pulled from the crowd and invited on stage by headliner Adam Ray.

From bombing open mics and late-night sets to masking, grinding, and finding your voice, Bo walks us through the realities of chasing comedy before you’re “ready.” Along the way, we talk crowd work, comedy culture, autism, confidence, missed signals, and the strange magic of being in the right room at the right time.

Shout out the grind.
Shout out the hoodie.
Shout out everyone who’s ever taken a shot they didn’t think they’d get.

Tonight the guys share a pour of “Sapsquatch” with Benjie, a certified bourbon steward who once called small-town basketball games on local radio. They dive into old-school radio chaos, preacher showdowns on Sunday mornings, and wrap with a simple question: what would shock your younger self about who you became?

Last time Shaun left us in a Nigerian bar — this time, he’s dodging bullets and somehow proving his innocence with a receipt. Yeah, you read that right. From cold (ish) beer to tribal warfare, this episode’s got more chaos than a bad group chat.

This week, we’re talking to a guy who thought he was signing up for a simple job. One call, one crazy opportunity, and somehow we end up talking about boats, borders, and a Russian guy in a Speedo. It’s that kind of story. Welcome to another episode where “average” doesn’t even come close.

Some people just can't read the room... Heather tells a wild story that you don't want to miss.

Meet the crew and hear a few of our stories.