Day Drinking on Delmarva

Todd DeHart and Tony Russo
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Todd DeHart and Tony Russo talk about living and working at the beach and all that entails, including enjoying a mid-day cocktail. daydrinkingondelmarva.substack.com

  1. Music, Mood, & Social Media Therapy

    May 5

    Music, Mood, & Social Media Therapy

    In this installment of Day Drinking on Delmarva, Todd and Tony dive deep into the intersection of music, memory, and media production. They discuss the origins of Todd’s business during the 2008 financial crisis and how a passion for capturing live music evolved into a 15-year career in storytelling. From the “Wild West” days of YouTube copyrights to the nuances of using AI-generated tracks versus licensed music, the duo explores how sound defines the atmosphere of everything from social media shorts to local restaurants. Key Discussion Points: * A Throwback to the Roots: Todd introduces the new “GCFL” swag—a logo inspired by the iconic CBGB design—and recounts how his business began by photographing bands in Ocean City around 2008 to stay social during tough economic times. * The Power of Evergreen Content: A look back at the Barrel Room Sessions at Burleigh Oak Brewery and how live music videos, like a decade-old cover at The Starboard, continue to generate views and local SEO value years later. * Music as a Filter: The hosts reflect on how music adapts to our personal moods, whether dealing with loss, a new job, or simply finding the right “Aesthetic Lo-Fi” to write to. * The Evolution of Music Licensing: Tony and Todd discuss the shift from purchasing music to subscription models and the rise of AI tools like Beethoven.ai for creating podcast intros and outros. * Studio Legends: Tony shares a recommendation for the documentary The Wrecking Crew, detailing the anonymous session musicians who played on the biggest hits of the 60s, while Todd mentions the mysterious, mummy-wrapped studio pros of Here Come the Mummies. Links & Resources Mentioned: * Good Clean Fun Life: GoodCleanFunLife.com Favorite Quote: “I saw once somebody say that the reason they became a filmmaker was because they just wanted to share their favorite songs with people... that has kind of been the cornerstone of what we do.” — Todd 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

    33 min
  2. I Hope You’re a Real Person: A Lesson in Aggressive Marketing

    Apr 28

    I Hope You’re a Real Person: A Lesson in Aggressive Marketing

    In this episode of Daydreamin’ Delmarva, Tony and Todd get into the weeds of “social media therapy” and the adventures of independent media life. Tony pulls back the curtain on his niche Substack, On Death Care, where he’s carving out a space as one of the few journalists providing hard news coverage for the funeral industry. Plus, things get personal as Tony recounts a bizarre email exchange with a “real person” who might just be a dedicated stalker, and Todd shares how a new fisheye lens and collaborative energy are sparking fresh creativity for the upcoming summer season. Key Takeaways * Deathcare and Tech: For the first time, consumers can pick and pay for cemetery plots online a “buy now” button that didn’t exist just a year ago. * Creative Sparks: Todd highlights how new equipment can break creative ruts and help creators stand out from “AI slop”. * The Perils of Pitching: Tony shares a cautionary tale about aggressive AI-driven marketing pitches and the strange, persistent world of internet “people.” Timestamps * [00:55] – Defining “social media therapy” and independent media adventures. * [01:24] – Inside the funeral industry: Substack, death care news, and the “boring” but fascinating business of cemeteries. * [02:46] – How funeral insurance actually works (and why New Jersey has its own rules). * [05:11] – The “Buy Now” button comes to the cemetery. * [06:20] – Upcoming trips and the limit-pushing comedy of Tig Notaro. * [10:10] – Equipment as a creative catalyst: The fisheye lens and food shoots. * [13:27] – Dealing with egregious AI marketing pitches and LinkedIn “stalkers”. * [17:53] – The perception of Substack: Platform vs. Publication. * [21:45] – Productivity hacks: Moving on from “Google Paint” to Canva. 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

    24 min
  3. Social Media Therapy: Deposits, Withdrawals, and Damp April

    Apr 7

    Social Media Therapy: Deposits, Withdrawals, and Damp April

    In this episode, Todd and Tony dive into the “slop” of modern media and the importance of authentic audience relationships. From the pitfalls of AI-generated April Fool’s jokes to the gritty reality of independent publishing, the duo discusses why building “brand love” requires real deposits of time and effort rather than just checking a box. Later, Tony provides a cautionary review of the zombie sequels 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple, warning listeners about a surprising escalation in violence between parts one and two. Key Discussion Points * Damp April & Media Literacy: Tony discusses his “fat boy punishment juice” (water and weekend gin) while Todd reflects on how bad AI content on April Fool’s Day serves as a litmus test for poor media literacy. * Deposits vs. Withdrawals: A deep dive into brand loyalty; why lazy AI posts are a “withdrawal” from your audience’s trust, whereas quality content that educates or entertains is a “deposit”. * The Power of Niche Audiences: Why having 100 dedicated listeners in a specific industry (like Tony’s funeral industry podcast) is more valuable than chasing millions of “empty” views. * Movie Review - 28 Years Later & The Bone Temple: A breakdown of the latest in the zombie franchise, featuring Ralph Fiennes, a “bone temple” ossuary, and a warning about extreme onscreen torture. * The Business of “No”: Tony and Todd discuss the importance of valuing their work, avoiding “free” projects for ungrateful clients, and “showing up for yourself” like Olympic athletes. 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

    33 min
  4. The Countdown to Summer: Taking Stock of Sunshine, and Quiet

    Mar 30

    The Countdown to Summer: Taking Stock of Sunshine, and Quiet

    Show Notes * Health and Aging: The hosts discuss the realities of getting older, including Tony’s recent bout with gout after a trip to New Jersey and his choice to swap alcohol for 5mg THC tea drinks to manage his “dopamine hit” later in the day. * Sponsor Spotlight: Dewey Raw: Todd introduces his other podcast, Dewey Raw, a “party podcast” featuring behind-the-scenes looks and on-the-street interviews from Dewey Beach. * Podcast Fandom and Feedback: A humorous segment on listener engagement, including a “scathing” text from a fan (Josh) and the adoption of the fan nickname “Raw Doggers” for Dewey Raw listeners. * Substack and Social Media Tips: Discussion on using Substack’s chat function and leveraging video frames in Canva to drive Facebook traffic to niche websites like on deathcare.com. * Scams in the Funeral Industry: Tony highlights a growing scam where predators use obituaries to call grieving families, pretending to be from a funeral home to demand extra money for cremations. * Return to Political Coverage: Tony announces his new “Destination Delmar” political section starting Monday. He expresses frustration with local apathetic voters and the lack of involvement in town meetings despite virtual access. * New Business Ventures: Todd shares plans for a property management newsletter/podcast project aimed at helping businesses create evergreen content through recorded interviews. 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

    32 min
  5. Poles Growing Out of Your Head: The Headshot Crisis

    Mar 16

    Poles Growing Out of Your Head: The Headshot Crisis

    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

    33 min
  6. Todd’s Florida Escape & Tony’s New Career

    Mar 9

    Todd’s Florida Escape & Tony’s New Career

    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

    33 min

  7. Jan 29

    Todd's 'Three Es' Approach to Content Buckets

    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

    31 min

  8. Jan 20

    Film Festivals, Funerals, and Damp January

    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

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Todd DeHart and Tony Russo talk about living and working at the beach and all that entails, including enjoying a mid-day cocktail. daydrinkingondelmarva.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Todd DeHart and Tony Russo
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    177
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tony Russo
  • Show Website
    Day Drinking on Delmarva