Everybody Loves Justin Nunely | Sage Steele Show | EP 74

Sep 24, 2025

Justin Nunley, a retired U.S. Air Force member and viral TikTok comedian, shares his inspiring journey after 20 years of service. He discusses the launch of his career with the catchy phrase, "Listen… did you know?," and how he navigated setbacks, including a major account ban. The conversation dives into balancing authenticity with the pressures of social media fame, his military experiences, and the importance of resilience. Family dynamics shine when his daughter Quinn joins in, adding warmth and humor to this engaging and heartfelt discussion.

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ANECDOTE

Buffalo Blizzard Father‑Son Memory

Justin took his son Blake to a snowy Buffalo Bills game, bought heated seats for comfort, and Blake got to play catch with Stefon Diggs.
The trip turned a Florida kid into a lifelong Bills fan and became a treasured father-son memory.

ADVICE

Meet People Where They Are

Meet people where they are and build relationships instead of enforcing rigid rules that alienate them.
Empathetic teachers and leaders can redirect behavior and make long-term positive impacts.

ANECDOTE

Viral Moment That Changed Everything

Justin Nunley describes how a single short TikTok idea — “Listen, did you know?” — unexpectedly went viral and launched his career.
After his main account was banned, he rebuilt to 3 million followers in 30 days by doubling down on that format.

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You probably know Justin Danger Nunley from TikTok, where millions of people wait for his signature line: “Listen… did you know?” But behind the viral videos is a story most people have never heard. Justin sat down with me in Nashville not long after retiring from the Air Force, where he served for 20 years. We talked about how the military shaped him, why comedy became his outlet, and how a fun experiment on TikTok exploded into a career that changed his life. He opened up about the grind of building an audience, the setbacks that almost stopped him, and the viral moment that sent his account into the millions. And this conversation was extra special because my daughter Quinn joined in on the action for a bit, which made it that much more fun and real. But it was not just about content. Justin shared stories about his family, the importance of resilience, and the lessons he carried from service to social media. He also spoke honestly about criticism, cancel culture, and the pressure of staying authentic when millions are watching. This conversation had everything. Laughter, vulnerability, and some random facts you will never forget. More than anything, it showed the heart behind the humor. Chapters: 00:03:27 – Cussin’ 00:15:16 – Getting Fired is Weird to Justin Nunley 00:32:34 – Do You Want a Zynn, Sage? 00:34:47 – Growing Up 00:45:55 – How Justin Nunley Cracked the Algorithm 00:53:22 – Quinn Joins the Show! 01:10:34 – Justin Nunley’s Military Life 01:22:36 – The Struggles of Podcasting 01:28:23 – Dealing With Online Trolls 01:34:24 – Gun Control 02:02:32 – Sage Steele to Host the News? BTS on Patreon: http://bit.ly/4nLmOSk The Sage Steele Show is a weekly podcast hosted by former ESPN anchor Sage Steele. Each week, Sage sits down with entertainers, athletes, business people, and politicians to have deep dive personal one on one discussions that enlighten, entertain, and engage. There’s a whole big world out there that’s not just sports, and Sage wants to talk about all of it. #sagesteelepodcast #sagesteele #podcast Subscribe to the Channel for more Podcasts like this! Listen to the Show on all Podcast Apps "The Sage Steele Show" https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sage-steele-show/id1737682826 Follow Sage: https://www.sagesteele.com https://x.com/sagesteele https://www.instagram.com/sagesteele https://www.tiktok.com/@officialsagesteele https://rumble.com/c/SageSteeleProductions

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