About this episode
Jeff's Bagel Run sponsorship, including bagel flavors and custom cream cheese spreads (hot sauce cream cheese) Ordering via Jeff's Bagel Run app; also offers cookies and coffee Friday Free Show at Gatorland near Gator Lake with guest Savannah Savannah's social media popularity and frequent fan questions about Tom and Dan Moe Dewitt's VIP program at Gatorland, Dan's late arrival, and Christmas card photos Savannah's career shift after leaving radio; moved to Cocoa Beach for son's skateboarding, worked at Rusty's, surfed Unexpected passion for reptiles; childhood love for catching snakes and lizards Opportunity to join a snake and lizard TV show in California; spontaneous cross-country move Traveling to skate parks, hospitality from strangers, sleeping in the Jeep, pulled over by Texas State Troopers Flooded skate park in Mississippi; using a shotgun shell as a thimble to fix Jeep top Working at a reptile zoo in California; appeared on Conan O'Brien's show, where a snake defecated on Conan's desk Lack of female-led alligator/crocodile shows in media; pitching one without success Long effort to create a Gatorland-based show; struggles with industry gatekeeping Seven-year attempt to work at Gatorland; initial rejection, eventual surprise hiring Early struggles at Gatorland; coworkers refused to help, leading to solo content creation Transition from radio to YouTube; generational gap in media consumption Challenges in social media consistency, scheduling, and content planning Learning alligator safety; Savannah's son skeptical of her expertise Gatorland's 75-year history; Lamar the 13-14 foot alligator as a favorite Naming alligators after celebrities; Ryan Reynolds, Lightning, Metallica Alligator vs. crocodile behavior; social media clips of reckless interactions Gatorland rescues nuisance alligators from farms/hunting camps Savannah's international Gatorland work (Belize, Australia, Jamaica, Mexico, Cuba) Couch-surfing upon return from California to land Gatorland job Spontaneous Cuba trip to find crocodile scientists with no Spanish skills, relying on a bird watcher's help Running out of money, drinking unfiltered rainwater, bonding with locals Returning with Gatorland's team to support Cuban crocodile program, forming Gatorland Global nonprofit Gatorland spans 125 acres, housing 2,000+ alligators and crocodiles; ranked zip-line attraction Tom feeding an alligator for the first time; hesitation in throwing food Maisie's preference for pork; gators also preferring pork over chicken Introduction of aggressive gators disrupting feeding order; Gatorland's discipline method Alligator growth slowing with age but continuing for life Alligators can survive two years without eating; Gatorland provides a "bougie" life Feeding wild gators makes them nuisances, leading to relocation Gators recognize trainers and social hierarchy; some respond to commands, others don't Leucistic alligators at Gatorland, their rarity, and special care needs Jawlene, the rescued alligator missing her top jaw; viral rescue story Learning to eat despite injury; media attention making her more famous than theme park mascots Jawlene estimated to be five years old but small due to malnutrition Attempts to fit her with a prosthetic jaw; wouldn't be functional long-term Public perception of dangerous animals vs. cute ones in conservation efforts Shark vs. alligator fear; media's role in misrepresenting threats Savannah camping at Gatorland, almost dragged into water by a Nile crocodile Gatorland's train ride, swamp buggy, and exotic bird rescue Meeting Felix the donkey and Big Mike the cow Savannah's desire to live at Gatorland; favorite animal interactions Savannah's Fairvilla Megastore connection; Bill Murphy's mariachi party Goats in the petting zoo; joke about them eating beer cans Gatorland accommodating even the wildest animals rather than removing them Dan and Savannah's Taco Bell "Mexican Fiesta" tradition Tom jumping on a moving train like a hobo; conductor recognizing them but letting it slide Group reflecting on Gatorland's old-school Florida charm and fun atmosphere **Social Media:** [Website](https://tomanddan.com/) | [Twitter](https://twitter.com/tomanddanlive) | [Facebook](https://facebook.com/amediocretime) | [Instagram](https://instagram.com/tomanddanlive) **Where to Find the Show:** [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-mediocre-time/id334142682) | [Google Podcasts](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2FtZWRpb2NyZXRpbWUvcG9kY2FzdC54bWw) | [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Comedy/A-Mediocre-Time-p364156/) **The Tom & Dan Radio Show on Real Radio 104.1:** [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-corporate-time/id975258990) | [Google Podcasts](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2Fjb3Jwb3JhdGV0aW1lL3BvZGNhc3QueG1s) | [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Comedy/A-Corporate-Time-p1038501/) **Exclusive Content:** [Join BDM](https://tomanddan.com/registration) **Merch:** [Shop Tom & Dan](https://tomanddan.myshopify.com/)