The Scribble with Jeremy Bradley

Jeremy Bradley has no interest in social media... but he definitely has an opinion on how companies should use it. JB talks about how companies need to get creative and show a personality. He said businesses need to loosen up and get playful on social media even if the "brand voice" dictates otherwise. JB talks about how his businesses cash in on the fun and silly without paying a penny for social media advertising. Later, JB addresses people who use social media for their personal brand and how they, too, miss the mark on making money.

A Jersey Shore goodbye: with Mike, Vinny, Ron, Sam & Deena. Jeremy Bradley takes a walk down memory lane with clips of his chats with the MTV cast over the years.

Who's raising the kids these days? If technology is doing more parenting than humans, we're headed for trouble. Jeremy Bradley, once again, goes on a rant about the state of childhood behavior and the staring-at-phones parenting style that is harming future generations. JB talks about instances where kids are desperate for a parent's attention but are ignored because mom and/or dad are clutching their device and more interested in what's on the screen. Should this be considered child abuse or neglect? 

Another episode, another customer service rant. Jeremy Bradley talks about how he prefers avoiding contacting a company and letting things slide to eliminate the hassle of crummy customer service. JB mentions how he won't frequent a company if their contact info isn't front and center on their website. "The harder you make it for me to contact you, the less likely I am to deal with you." He goes on a rant about technology destroying the reputations of once-regarded brands. Later, JB shares a nightmare grocery-delivery story that ended up going from confusing to frustrating to downright creepy.

Jeremy Bradley says it all the time: customer service ain't what it used to be. Now, he compares the way he was trained in retail over 20 years ago versus how it appears employees are coached today. Are the standards the same? He doesn't think so. At the same time, have customer expectations shifted over the years? More and more, businesses are pushing back on the concept of "the customer is always right." JB shares stories about how his e-commerce staff has been treated by clients. Later, do "adult-content creators" eventually regret their nudie past or do they wear it (no pun intended) as a badge of honor? In a world of OnlyFans and sex-for-money work, are people less uptight about their past of baring all?

The AI discussion continues on the show. After the last episode, Jeremy Bradley had conversations with people about the growing use of artificial intelligence in day-to-day life. But, now that it's crossing over into the bedroom, is it getting too comfy or too creepy in people's lives? JB talks about checking out an AI boyfriend/girlfriend app and what he thought about the experience. Was he convinced that a person can become emotionally attached to a chat bot?

Jeremy Bradley shares his memories of Dolly Parton: including the time she crashed his radio show as a surprise guest. Plus, the celebrity tributes keep coming in for Dolly.

HELLO, DOLLY! Dolly Parton crashes a radio show! Remembering Dolly Parton Original air date: Nov. 6, 2019, Jeremy Bradley's Top of The Charts

It's official: Jeremy Bradley has discovered AI. He talks about how what was usually a quick Google search turned into hours of chatting with... a robot? He talks about the intrigue about asking it questions and testing its accuracy. How often was it correct? JB was surprised -- but in a good or bad way? He talks about the hours he spent and how it made him feel afterward. What was the one instance that made him second guess it all? You'll be surprised. Later, he reveals he can understand how people could fall in love -- literal emotional love -- with artificial intelligence.

For a neighborhood and household that's usually pretty quiet and boring, Jeremy Bradley recounts the craziness that happened in his world over the course of a week. First, it's flashing police lights outside the house, then the house suddenly goes dark. "What could possibly go wrong next?" JB wondered. Bad things happen in threes, right? JB proves that with the interesting stories on the show. Later, JB tells a story about remarkable organized retail theft... because the store didn't give a damn. Did they get what they deserved?

There are some people who share -- and over-share -- about their relationship and it makes you wonder why. Is it for attention? Is it for the sake of complaining? Is it for reassurance? Jeremy Bradley talks about how people chime in on his relationship when he's not even asking for advice or even discussing a problem. "I didn't ask for your relationship advice, but thanks," he said. It often happens when someone asks about his marriage and suddenly they become a relationship expert, leading him to wonder how it became a counseling session. JB wonders why people open up their relationship for discussions online. Later, he shares the one relationship question he's asked but doesn't understand.

When you're in your 20s, you can go, go, go all night and feel fine the next morning (maybe having not even slept) and go another full day. As you get older, sleep is your friend -- your best friend -- your BFF. Jeremy Bradley talks about his new appreciation for sleep. After spending 15 years waking up at 6 a.m. to be on the radio, JB talks about early retirement and the joy of sleeping in... until noon... every day. For many people, there aren't enough hours in the day: you wake up early, commute to work or school, spend the day there, commute back home and before you know it, it's time to go to bed again. You've had, maybe, four hours to yourself... if you don't have a partner, kids or pets needing your attention in the evening hours before bed. Later, JB talks about the rule in his bedroom that guarantees a great night of sleep -- every night.

Perez Hilton: forgive and forget or NMP? Jeremy Bradley chimes in on the drama surrounding the troubled gossip blogger.

Social media has become a hotspot for digital panhandling. But is it becoming too much? Online fundraisers seem to be the easiest way to get money, however the expectation of those begging for cash is a little rich, according to Jeremy Bradley. "It started with people posting their Venmo on social media and expecting the audience to give money for their birthday, and now it's the go-to method for anybody needing extra cash for anything." JB recalls a time when you didn't want people to know you're struggling for cash and you found ways on the downlow to get through the tough time. "Now, for some reason, people broadcast it and announce they don't have money." He tells a story about someone he hadn't had contact with in 20 years randomly messaging and asking him to post and promote a fundraiser. Later, JB goes on a rant about millionaire and billionaire celebrities posting pleas for you to help donate to causes.

Have you ever run into someone, had a full conversation and left thinking, "I have no idea who that was." Jeremy Bradley often has those moments but relives running into a former classmate. He did remember her and the two spontaneously caught up to share a laugh. JB says it was great to reconnect and, of course, the meeting ended with "let's keep in touch." Did they though? Or was it just something said to end on a pleasant note? If you don't reach out following the meetup and they don't, does it make you wonder if they didn't have as much fun as it seemed?

He wears his heart on his sleeve. It is what it is. Everything happens for a reason. Manifest it. The cat's out of the bag. These are phrases North American English speakers know but, like, what do they even mean? Jeremy Bradley -- a journalist and former English major -- questions the literal meaning of common terms and phrases we use every day and wonders why we accept that they make no sense whatsoever. Later, JB takes on those whimsical and inspirational quotes seen on home decor that are meant to bring positivity to the world. "Do people really feel inspired by reading that stuff?" JB asks.

Are viewers getting sick of mainstream TV and music these days? Jeremy Bradley thinks so, and he takes it one step further saying that's why there's a retro revival with people streaming full seasons of their past favorite shows and listening to full albums from a decade or two ago. "These days (music and TV) content is just pushed out for the sake of pushing it out," JB said. "Since we're constantly blasted with new content from so many different angles, we don't get the opportunity to savor something and fully appreciate it -- not that we want to because it's all just slop now. Because of that, we go back to a time of classic sitcoms or pop music that make us relive happier, carefree times."

Parenting ain't what it used to be. And onlookers notice. Non-parents notice. Big time. Non-parent, Jeremy Bradley, shares his observations about how today's parents compare to when he was growing up in the '80s and '90s. "We weren't friends with our parents," JB said. "You were afraid of your parents back then. And that's not a bad thing." JB talks about how parents aren't raising their kids how they were raised. Meaning, many households had strict rules back in the day, so if that's how you were brought up, why aren't you raising your kids that way? Is this why kids today are out of control? Later, JB is in tears laughing about a family birthday party memory. 

A child being applauded for finishing his ice cream at Dairy Queen. A child being congratulated for eating all of his fries at McD's. Jeremy Bradley is confused about why kids require such positive reinforcement for eating... junk food. "Way to go, buddy! Good job!" JB doesn't understand why parents make a big deal about kids eating food. From there, JB continues on about food and why taxpayers are expected to help feed schoolchildren. "We ate breakfast at home," JB said, "If you can't afford to feed kids, don't have kids."

Is it really cheaper to make food at home? Jeremy Bradley talks about how the golden rule to save money was always to make your own food and not dine out at expensive restaurants. With the crazy cost of groceries, JB maps out several dining instances that have him questioning the math. How much does a night out with a friend cost? Are you going out less because you feel establishments are overcharging for what they offer?

As people get older, they either embrace their age... or try to hide from it. As Jeremy Bradley turns 44, he talks about aging and wonders why people lie to themselves about how many years they've been alive. "You can change your face, you can change other body parts, but your age is still your age," JB says. He talks about the pivot when young people brag about how old they are ("I'm an adult now!") to playing coy as they age ("How old do you think I am?"). JB wonders the magical age that has people finally embracing their age. "People shy away from saying they're in their 50s or 60s but when they hit other milestones, say, 80, people, like Jane Fonda, are proud to admit it." JB talks about executive producer, Bonnie Winters, who will never publicly say her age. (Cough- 70s)

Is he becoming a grumpy old man? Jeremy Bradley is days away from turning 44 and admits that he's fed up with dealing with people in public. "I"m going to end up on one of those A&E shows at some point," JB says. From loud talkers to obnoxious kids to the genuinely inconsiderate, JB talks about how he prefers being out in public in the daytime when everyone else is at work or school. "I don't have people crashing into me because they're staring down at their phone. I don't have to cover my ears because a kid is having a meltdown for their parent's phone." Later, JB wonders why customers have to pay a premium price just for timely customer service responses. 

More and more, fake social media profiles are set up to dupe other users. Whether it's to scam them out of money or catfish to mess with someone's emotions, it's getting worse every day. Jeremy Bradley talks about the obviously fake pages on Meta platforms and the astonishing amount of people following and commenting... and getting fooled. "It makes me want to be a scammer," JB jokes. "I could clean out these people!"

As we get older the tables turn: the parents that raised us will often need to be taken care of as they age. Jeremy Bradley talks about serious debates he's had with relatives and friends about the care of elderly parents. Is it the kid's/kids' responsibility to take care of parents in poor health or is it only a moral obligation?

It's a walk-back this week, says Jeremy Bradley. He recently went on a rant about how news broadcasting has become all-about-me TV with reporters and anchors performing on social media in content totally unrelated to their job. Listeners reached out and said there are plenty of professions where people post and stream live from their job. The problem: they're getting fired because of it. JB talks about watching videos of people immediately going live on social media to talk about how going live got them fired. Ironic, right? 

You're workplace besties. One of you leaves the job and goes elsewhere. What happens to that friendship? Jeremy Bradley talks about the fizzling out of friendships after you no longer see each other every day. The big question: were you really friends or was it a workplace convenience? He talks about a listener who wonders why she was all but ghosted weeks after saying goodbye to her in-office BFF. Later, JB talks about his obsession with someone who ghosted him in his 20s, then the revelation years later and how JB got the last laugh.

Do you really care what shoes the anchor is wearing? Does a dancing weatherman help you prepare for a storm? Is reporting from a tragedy really the best time for a selfie? Jeremy Bradley, who's been in the news business for over 20 years, chimes on why people don't take seriously trained "professional" journalists anymore. It's not about factual reporting, it's the look-at-me-I'm-on-TV mindset employees have at their respective news outlets... and it's only getting worse.

Don't throw your junk in my backyard, my backyard, my backyard. (If you get it, you get it.) Jeremy Bradley talks about run-ins with his neighbors that have him saying anything but "love thy neighbor." For 19 years, he's asked himself, "Why do they always think my property is theirs to use?" It's been multiple neighbors throughout the years not respecting property lines. But, why were the cops called? Whose car had the sticker, "I heart people who do drugs?" Are parents raising nightmare kids? JB recounts the drama of living around inconsiderate people.

In the second part of the cheating discussion, Jeremy Bradley talks about two instances where he's known about someone cheating and felt a moral obligation to reveal the betrayal to the person's partner. One was a good friend -- practically a sister -- and the other was a closeted married man who was engaging in dangerous activities with men behind his wife's back. Did things go as dramatically as you think? JB tells all!

"Once a cheater, always a cheater," is the old saying about relationships. Generally, it's said to people who've been cheated on in the hopes they'll leave their partner who wronged them. Jeremy Bradley talks about a colleague who is in an awkward situation after finding out about a friend cheating... and scrolling through DMs to show the flirty conversations. How would you react if your BFF came clean to reveal a secret relationship and catches you off guard?

It's not the usual rant about how a home is too expensive nowadays. Jeremy Bradley talks about two friends both going through their own housing crisis. First, JB talks about a pal who bought into luxury apartment living and kind of regrets it. Later, a friend has inherited his childhood house but doesn't know if he wants to keep it and move into it or let it be a memory from the past. JB chimes in with his thoughts.

Do you have a BFF at the office? Jeremy Bradley takes aim at his 20-year radio producer this week. The two have shared countless laughs over the decades, from their unhinged on-air antics or pranks behind the scenes. JB is all laughs as he recounts the infamous printer prank and ambushing the executive producer in Hawaii with a shocking surprise live on the radio.

As Canada celebrated its 150th birthday last year, Jeremy Bradley hosted a special broadcast in honour of the country's milestone.Canada Day LIVE featured music stars from coast to coast to coast. Over a dozen recording artists chatted with JB about their favourite Canadian memories, places and moments.Artists include: Terri Clark (Alberta), Doc Walker (Manitoba), Natalie MacMaster, Jimmy Rankin and The Trews (Nova Scotia), Alan Doyle (Newfoundland and Labrador), Dean Brody (British Columbia), Susan Aglukark (Nunavut), Codie Prevost (Saskatchewan), Roch Voisine (Quebec, New Brunswick), Paper Lions (Prince Edward Island), Barenaked Ladies (Ontario), Jona Barr (Yukon) and Welders Daughter (Northwest Territories).

With many people feeling the financial pinch nowadays, there are plenty of ways to creatively save money. Bestselling "cheapskate" Jeremy Bradley confesses how, even before becoming a successful businessperson, he's always looked at $50 as a lot of money. JB talks about getting older and how he pays attention to "wants" and "needs" while shopping. It's not about money, it's about waste. Ultimately, those choices save money, so it's a win-win, as he explains. Later, he shares tips for little spending changes that add up over the course of a year to save a lot of money. Check out the book, The Official Guide to Being a Winnipeg Cheapskate, for more ideas.

Buying your first home is an exciting time but is recording a walking tour for social media a little, well, classless? Jeremy Bradley talks about the trend of people posting photos of themselves holding a giant key and the declaration they're a new homeowner, in hopes of getting applause from the audience. People take it one step further, he says, when they stage videos and welcome people in as though they're appearing on MTV Cribs. "If you want to broadcast to the world the outside of your house while showing your address, have at 'er," JB said. He talks about the need for the inside of his houses to be private. "Social media has made people's lives -- and homes -- an open book and it's a little sad -- scary, even."

Jeremy Bradley talks about visiting a local mall from his childhood. A hairstylist that had been there for over 20 years suddenly closed. Some of the staff had been there for decades. JB talks about the memories of the place but, in the end, he stopped going there... but was still sad about its demise. He wonders if you're a bad customer because you eventually stopped giving it your business. Later, JB talks about the public sadness when a celeb dies. The tributes and how much people "loved" them but, in reality, hadn't watched or listened or consumed their product in years -- possibly forgotten about?

There's a growing frustration for job seekers. Whether it's an exhausting application and interview process or a lack of responses from potential employers, those looking for work find it difficult or even less than straightforward to get a job. Business owner, Jeremy Bradley, answers listener questions about the job market and how people should apply, interview and present themselves throughout the hiring process.

There are so many fads and fleeting trends nowadays that it's tough to keep up -- or even know what they are. Jeremy Bradley talks about hearing of new currencies and investment concepts, yet no one he's asked can explain to him what they are or how they work. "You're not really selling me on it if you can't tell me what I can do with it," JB said. Later, JB talks about multi-level marketing (ahem, pyramid schemes) that hook people looking for fast and easy money. "People just need to get a regular job and get paid regular money."

The latest online trend is holding a pity-party telethon for yourself and asking -- demanding -- money and handouts from the audience. Whether it's GoFundMe campaigns or direct links to send money, people have no shame when it comes to expecting "gifts" (donations) from an internet full of strangers. Jeremy Bradley talks about when the worlds of entitlement and lazy collide for a new embarrassing trend on social media. "People are posting, 'It's my birthday, here's my Venmo' to blatantly ask for money," said JB. "Or they do a live stream and get progressively angry when viewers don't kick in." Later, he talks about a relative who had every excuse in the book to not get a job and provide for himself... and his wife... and his son.

Jeremy Bradley -- who has a life -- talks about recently learning of the politics and drama amongst social media content creators. Because of those platforms, everyone thinks they should be broadcasting anything and everything -- all the time. But lacking originality is a problem in those creator circles. And when they start making content taking shots at the others' content, it gets catty, petty and hilariously (and sadly) entertaining, said JB. He goes on another rant about the delusions of an "influencer" lifestyle and why most people should stick to having a job and working for someone else.

What a major miscommunication! Jeremy Bradley talks about the time his relative proclaimed the wrong family member died. It was a game of telephone gone wrong -- very wrong. JB's mom shared that a different relative died so he thought two loved ones died in a matter of one hour. Craziness ensued as JB and his cousin tried piecing together who was still alive and who had died. Later, JB talks about the obligation he always has to speak at funerals thanks to his history as a professional writer and broadcaster. Sometimes, though, there's an awkwardness... especially when you'd never had a conversation with the deceased. JB reflects on three recent deaths that caught him off guard... and off guard... and off guard. Finally, JB talks about his I-remember-where-I-was-when moments as an entertainment host covering celebrity deaths.

Your job is dunzo. But... what's the story you tell everyone? Did you quit or were you fired? Jeremy Bradley talks about the embarrassment of getting fired and spinning the story to make it sound like it's the employer's loss... and entirely your doing. He recounts the first time he was fired from a job and the impact it had on him. What's the story to tell your parents when you get turfed as a teen? "I quit, I couldn't handle the job anymore, mom," JB said. Did she believe him -- about the job he never once complained about? He discusses how employment standards have changed over time since that 1999 event. 

"I've never been into Pride -- or what used to be called Gay Pride but now is 'everything that isn't straight,'" says married gay man, Jeremy Bradley. He talks about how the over-the-top flamboyant spectacle isn't his scene -- and never has been. "I remember, before I was out, watching the news with my parents and the Pride parade came on. Seeing clown-makeup drag queens and guys being so feminine. I knew that wasn't a representation of me and I feared my parents would think I was 'one of them' when I had no desire to fem it up and wear a dress and paint my nails. I was just a guy who was attracted to guys." In recent years, Pride has become so commercialized that JB feels the true meaning has been lost. "At first, it was cool when corporations changed their logo to a rainbow but with that came them making money off of Pride. And what happens July 1? The roll up the rainbow swag and it's put away until next year."

The chaos is real at CBS News with much of the long-time team at 60 Minutes out the door. The Scott Pelley firing this week rocked not only the company but the journalism industry as a whole. Jeremy Bradley, a journalist who's been in the business for over 20 years, shares his thoughts about the CBS shakeups under new management. Plus, he talks about how "citizen journalism" or "independent journalism" isn't the same thing as mainstream media -- and why that's a problem, especially in today's world where the MSM is no longer as highly regarded or trusted.

It's time for an entrepreneur smack down. Jeremy Bradley unloads on wannabe business people who attempt to make themselves look bigger than they are. His biggest gripe: "I can't stand when people go on Shark Tank and refer to a business as "we" when it's just them: "We've been in business for five years" and later admit it's a one-man show." JB gives examples of the smoke and mirrors he's run into with fellow broadcasters who attempted to make their operations seem larger than they were. For instance, a radio station having Studio K -- which was a kitchen... in a crammed apartment above a convenience store on a busy downtown street. "There's nothing better than doing it on your own and taking pride that you've accomplished everything by yourself."

It's the big debate: should you steal to compensate for your efforts at self-checkout? Jeremy Bradley talks about shoppers feeling the need to grab extra items while ringing up their purchases at stores without cashiers. His controversial statement, "I understand why people feel that way" is often misinterpreted as support. He explains why that argument, however, doesn't mathematically add up. "For the two minutes of work you do -- based on what the hourly wage is in that store -- you would be entitled to a few cents of merchandise." JB talks about why customers are frustrated and how they justify their bad behaviors if store staff isn't around -- or isn't paid enough to care.

Living your best life. Family is everything. Manifest the amazing. You make today special. The best is yet to come. Does any of this crap motivate you and give you a bounce in your step? Does it help you power through your workday? Jeremy Bradley talks about motivational phrases and mantras that people, apparently, need to get through the day. Do trendy buzzwords and empty phrases really make a difference? 

It is the end of an era for CBS. What a big week for finales: Wednesday night had the 50th Survivor finale with Jeff Probst giving a major spoiler halfway through the show, and across the country in New York, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert took its final bow on Thursday after the network offed the show following controversy with Donald Trump. Jeremy Bradley, an entertainment host for over 20 years, talks about the Colbert cancellation scandal. Later, he reflects on his memories with Jeff Probst on the radio -- including the time the Survivor host crashed a show!

That restaurant or store from childhood has a place in your memory -- and possibly your heart. You tune into the news and hear the national chain is in danger of closing. Then, it makes headlines when the final location closes. Jeremy Bradley talks about working for iconic brands in his 20s and reflects on shifting business models and consumer interests that has those long-time favorites becoming a distant memory and a thing of the past.

Many people look back at their childhood and think about what they wanted to be when they grow up and if it actually happened. Jeremy Bradley reflects on his early days of amateur broadcasting as a kid and how it turned into a career that saw him largely retire at 39 years old -- five years ago. Pretending to host a show with his dual-cassette recorder as a kid to anchoring red carpets in radio syndication as an adult, JB has only recently connected the dots that what he really wanted to do in life actually happened from his interests and hobbies as a youngster. Plus, he talks about the first time he was on the radio as a kid... and how the hosts made fun of him.

It's a question people always ask: Do you remember where you were when...? Whether it was Sept. 11 or presidential assassinations or the pandemic, these events are stamped in people's minds. JB looks back at the COVID-19 global shutdowns and how it impacted his life. "I was treated like a criminal for wanting to go to my own house and not be locked up in a jail hotel," JB said. He's referring to the controversial quarantine hotels that were mandated by the Canadian government. "I was fined $6,000 because I refused to be mistreated, starved and put at risk. And, to this day, I've still never paid it. Oh yeah, and I've still never had COVID."