The Scribble with Jeremy Bradley

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.

"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?

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."

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.

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.

"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."

Paying fees for the 'privilege' of being a customer? No thanks, says Jeremy Bradley. Service fee, delivery fee, small order fee, bag fee, handling fee -- they're all junk fees, according to most consumers. (Not to mention the fee's tax -- yup, taxes on fees.) JB loses his mind when he sees a restaurant charging a $20 delivery fee for orders. Then, he says, restaurants cry about declining sales and threaten to close because they don't have community support. "Hmm, now why could that be?" he asks.

It's not a new debate. Consumers are sick of the tipping expectation in the service industry. Jeremy Bradley dissects the concept and breaks down the terminology associated with tipping. In restaurants, tipping is for "rewarding good service" but he wonders why it's up to him as a customer to give performance reviews and incentives to staff. Also, it's for when a server "goes above and beyond." What exactly does that mean? JB talks through the ideas that, quite honestly, are ridiculous. "So, you walked 10 ft. to a kitchen and carried a plate to me. Wonderful. You asked me how the food is. Great. You took the dirty plate after I finished eating. Spectacular. Golly, you went above and beyond the job description of a server!"

If it's a new relationship, gift giving can be a stressful time. What happens if you spend more than they do? What happens if they give you something terrible and you went all out? Jeremy Bradley dishes on relationship gift giving on the show. He talks about the arrangement he has in his marriage. Is there a spending limit? Are there any gifts at all? JB talks about the relationship discussions he's had with podcast listeners.

Another wild week. Interesting stories in the news. Jeremy Bradley chimes in on the Kathy Griffin controversy. Who knew beheading a president would get her in trouble? Plus, lots on his mind this week, JB shares some personal stories.