Day Drinking on Delmarva

Todd and Tony are back to discuss why everyone’s headshot is terrible, the “ick” factor of AI filters, and Tony’s deep dive into the surprisingly cheap history of Ocean Pines. They also cover the return of 2000s-era digital cameras at the Starboard and how to use robots to edit your writing without losing your soul.

This Week:

* The Headshot Intervention: Tony and Todd plead with realtors and professionals to stop using photos from 1980 or “sloppy” selfies with poles growing out of their heads.

* The Uncanny Valley: A look at why AI-generated photos and filters feel unsettling, like a “caricature drawing at a school bazaar”.

* Vintage Tech is Back: Todd spots a swarm of University of Delaware seniors ditching iPhones for old-school “one-shot” digital cameras during opening weekend.

* Ocean Pines for a Bargain: Tony shares a rumor from his upcoming history book that the entire development may have sold for just $1.4 million in 1968.

* Drones and Palm Trees: Todd shows off a new drone with “object avoidance” to prevent a repeat of his Florida palm tree casualty.

* Working with the Robots: How Tony uses AI as a “copy editor” to fix his snarky tangents and improve his writing productivity.

* Dewey Raw Live: Details on catching the crew live at the Starboard for opening weekend festivities.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daydrinkingondelmarva.substack.com

Welcome back to Day Drinking on Delmarva. In this episode, Todd returns from a month-long hiatus in Florida while Tony shares major career updates and a deep dive into the business of death care.

Episode Summary

The “Snowbird” Life

Todd shares his experience spending a month in the Florida Keys, specifically Key Largo and Islamorada. After surviving a brutal cold snap on Delmarva, Todd spent two weeks relaxing by a canal-side pool. He notes the unique perspective of getting a “summer” experience in February, something local beach business owners rarely enjoy during their own peak season.

Career Pivots and Substack

Tony reveals he has quit his job to become his own publisher. He has moved his focus to Substack, launching a podcast series on the Ocean City Film Festival and a new niche industry project called On Deathcare. Tony discusses the early success of these newsletters, noting high open rates and the unique community growing within the death care space.

The Business of Death

The duo explores the “final act” of life through a capitalist lens. Tony shares insights from a recent survey by a death care lawyer:

* Cremation Trends: While most people choose cremation, it is often their “second choice,” primarily driven by cost.

* Alternative Methods: They discuss “aquamation” (alkaline hydrolysis), which is often restricted by protectionist laws in the funeral industry.

* Gen Z Preferences: Interestingly, younger generations express interest in traditional state-style funerals and open caskets but are often resistant to embalming—a combination that presents significant logistical “unpleasantness.”

The Digital “Condemned Building”

They share a mutual exhaustion with Facebook, which Tony compares to trying to find a place for new graffiti in a filthy, condemned building. Both hosts emphasize moving their energy toward platforms like Substack and Beehiiv for more authentic connection and better business sustainability.

Upcoming Delmarva Events

* Ocean City Film Festival: Celebrating its 10th anniversary.

* Oceans Calling: Tickets are on sale for the massive beach concert featuring a newly released artist lineup.

* St. Patrick’s Day: The Ocean City parade and Dewey Beach opening weekends (including the Starboard) are just around the corner.

* Freeman Arts Pavilion: New stage construction is underway with a long-format video project in the works.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daydrinkingondelmarva.substack.com

Todd and Tony explore the evolution of content creation, the purpose behind Good Clean Fun Life, and the importance of marketing strategies that focus on what Todd calls the “Three Es.” Tony shares his career transition and future plans, emphasizing the importance of writing and community involvement.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daydrinkingondelmarva.substack.com

In this episode, Todd and Tony discuss the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Ocean City Film Festival, featuring a planned appearance by Patton Oswalt and a retrospective on the event's growth from a grassroots project to a prestigious regional festival.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET INFORMATION

Todd shares reflections on his recent trip to the Poconos and his 15-year career documenting life at the beach, while Tony outlines his new investigative research into the intersection of burial traditions, law, and environmental concerns.

The hosts also check in on their "Damp January" progress and a potential comedy sketch regarding the realities of life in your 50s.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daydrinkingondelmarva.substack.com

Happy New Year (for real this time)! Todd and Tony return to the mics to recap their holiday breaks and set the tone for 2026. Todd shares the story of his “agent of chaos” moment in Berlin, Maryland: creating a DIY New Year’s Eve ball out of chicken wire and empty beer cans after the town nixed the midnight drop in favor of a 6:00 PM “kids’ countdown.”

The conversation takes a sharp (and hilarious) turn as Tony launches into a passionate manifesto against “children-forward America,” the “grandparentization” of local government, and why staying up until midnight is a right that must be earned. Plus, Tony reveals the accidental purchase of 5,000 “permanent” Christmas cards, Todd celebrates his wife finally listening to his other podcast, and the duo discusses the value of building community over chasing virality in the new year.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daydrinkingondelmarva.substack.com

Toward the end of the show, we talk about putting this out before the new year. I regret the error. – Ed.

In this episode of Day Drinking on Delmarva, Todd and Tony attempt a year in review, discussing the importance of marketing, the impact of AI on content creation, and their personal growth experiences.

They explore the evolution of communication in the digital age, share insights from local culture and film, and emphasize the role of collaboration in creative projects. The conversation wraps up with aspirations for the future and a festive holiday greeting.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daydrinkingondelmarva.substack.com

In this episode, Todd returns from a family trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, sparking a comparison between European leisure culture and American consumerism. The conversation also covers upcoming local projects, including the 10th anniversary of the Ocean City Film Festival and a new historical book on Ocean Pines.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daydrinkingondelmarva.substack.com

In this episode of Day Drinking on Delmarva, Todd and Tony explore various themes related to podcasting, community engagement, and personal anecdotes.

They discuss the importance of targeting specific audiences in podcasting, share their experiences with launching new projects, and delve into the art of engaging interviews.

The conversation also touches on unique encounters during a recent trip to New Jersey and a scandal in the funeral industry, showcasing the blend of humor and serious topics that characterize their discussions.

Newest episode of Dewey Raw

Inaugural episode of Destination Delmarva

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daydrinkingondelmarva.substack.com

In this episode of Day Drinking on Delmarva, hosts Todd and Tony discuss various aspects of life and culture on the Delmarva Peninsula. They share insights on their experiences with weddings, videography, and real estate marketing, while also reflecting on community engagement and the changing traditions of Halloween.

The conversation highlights the importance of listener engagement, the significance of community events, and philosophical musings on relationships and societal norms.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daydrinkingondelmarva.substack.com

Podcasting is becoming a legit profession. Also, Berlin Oktoberfest.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daydrinkingondelmarva.substack.com