85 South
85 South
May 29, 2026

"THE FUNNIEST DUO IN THE GAME" W/ DC YOUNG FLY & KARLOUS MILLER | 85 SOUTH SHOW

YouTube · EhnSFoLzCyA

Quick Read

DC Young Fly and Karlous Miller recount hilarious and raw stories from their past lives, from firefighting and culinary arts to ingenious street hustles and the harsh realities of drug dealing.
Traditional jobs like firefighting come with unexpected challenges and petty workplace dynamics.
Entrepreneurship often starts with identifying unmet needs and 'creating your own yes'.
The street economy, while dangerous, can serve as a harsh but effective 'business course' in resourcefulness.

Summary

DC Young Fly and Karlous Miller share a series of candid and comedic anecdotes about their diverse work experiences and early hustles. They discuss the physical demands of firefighting, the petty dynamics of a firehouse, and the surprising skills learned in a restaurant kitchen. Karlous details his entrepreneurial "pizza hustle" and the philosophy of "creating your own yes" when opportunities don't appear. They delve into the realities of selling drugs, distinguishing between "weed man" and "dope man," and the challenges of dealing with different types of customers, including humorous takes on casual crack users and the "Prozac kids" of their generation. The conversation highlights their individual paths to self-reliance and the unconventional "business courses" they experienced.
This episode offers a raw, unfiltered look into the diverse experiences that shaped two prominent comedians. It provides insights into the entrepreneurial mindset born from necessity, the often-unseen realities of various blue-collar jobs, and a humorous yet poignant perspective on street economics and drug culture, challenging conventional notions of work and ambition.

Takeaways

  • Firefighting involves rigorous physical tests but can lead to a surprisingly relaxed daily routine for established personnel, often dealing with 'dumb calls'.
  • Karlous Miller successfully ran a 'pizza hustle' by leveraging employee discounts and unmet demand in his neighborhood.
  • The hosts emphasize the importance of 'creating your own yes' and self-reliance when traditional opportunities or financial support are absent.
  • They humorously differentiate between selling weed and 'dope', and discuss the unique challenges and clientele associated with each.
  • Not everyone desires to be a 'boss', as the role often entails being the target of employee frustration and constant problem-solving.

Insights

1The Reality of Firefighting: Rigor, Routine, and Petty Dynamics

Karlous details the intense physical requirements to become a firefighter, including a 75lb vest treadmill test and sledgehammer drills. However, he contrasts this with the actual daily life, describing older firefighters who 'sleep all day' and the frequent 'dumb calls' like dumpster fires or forgotten running cars. He also recounts a petty, possibly racially motivated, hazing incident involving a high-lift bucket and refusal to wear a 'Sparky' dog mascot costume.

They put a 75 lb vest on you and then you have to walk up... for like two, three minutes. [] The old fat [__]... All they do is eat and sleep and talk [__]. [] They wanted [__] to put the dog costume on. I told him, 'I want YOU TO BE SPARKING.' [] These [__] thought I was scared of heights... They bring the truck out one morning with the long 30 foot bucket... 60 feet in the air... This [__] jumping up and down. []

2The 'Pizza Hustle': Leveraging Employee Perks for Entrepreneurial Gain

Karlous describes a past job at Domino's where he bought employee-discounted pizzas for $5. He would then drive to local hangouts (like dorms or football practices) and sell these pizzas for $10 each, effectively doubling his money. He also mentions utilizing unclaimed pizzas, demonstrating resourcefulness and an understanding of local demand.

I get pizzas for $5... I'm f to pull up on these [__] and sell them my $5 piece for $10. [] Somebody call and order a pizza and don't pick it up. What they going to do with the pizza? It s right there. []

3'Create the Yes': The Philosophy of Self-Made Opportunity

DC Young Fly reflects on his early struggles, realizing that waiting for opportunities or financial help from others was futile. He advocates for actively 'creating the yes' – finding ways to generate income and build a path forward independently, even from nothing, rather than relying on external validation or support.

You got to create a yes. Create the yes. Whatever that yes is, create it. [] I never thought nobody was going to help me from a very young age. That's what gave me my drive. []

4The Un-Glamorous Reality of Being a Boss

The hosts discuss how the 'boss' role is often perceived as a 'villain role' by employees. They highlight that bosses are typically disliked, tolerated only as a means to an end, and are held responsible for all employee unhappiness. This perspective suggests that leadership, especially in low-wage environments, is a thankless and often resented position.

Don't nobody like they boss for real. They tolerate this [__] because he is means to an end. That's really a villain role. [] Whatever they they unhappy about is your [__] fault. You got to fix it. []

Bottom Line

The concept of 'casual crack smoking' where individuals manage their drug use to avoid hitting rock bottom, contrasting with typical narratives of immediate addiction.

So What?

This challenges the monolithic perception of drug users, suggesting a spectrum of engagement and control, even with highly addictive substances. It highlights a hidden demographic of functional users.

Impact

Understanding this nuance could inform more targeted harm reduction strategies or alternative support systems that acknowledge varying levels of addiction and functionality, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Opportunities

Localized Discount Product Reselling

Purchase products at an employee discount from a retail or food service job and resell them at a higher, but still competitive, price to a targeted local market with unmet demand (e.g., college dorms, busy public areas). Leverage existing inventory or uncollected orders.

Source: Karlous Miller's 'pizza hustle' at Domino's.

Premium Landscaping & Yard Care Service

Offer high-quality, detailed landscaping services beyond basic mowing, emphasizing precise edging, strategic grass blowing patterns, and hedge trimming. Charge premium rates for the superior aesthetic outcome, targeting clients willing to pay for meticulous work.

Source: Discussion on the art of cutting grass and edging.

Key Concepts

Create Your Own Yes

When faced with a lack of opportunities or financial support, instead of waiting for external help, actively identify needs and create your own solutions or ventures to generate income and progress.

Street Business Course

The informal economy, including drug dealing, can inadvertently teach harsh but practical lessons in sales, inventory management, risk assessment, and customer relations due to the immediate consequences of failure.

Lessons

  • Actively seek out and create your own opportunities rather than passively waiting for them, especially when facing financial constraints.
  • Develop a keen eye for unmet needs in your local community or workplace that can be leveraged into a side hustle or business.
  • Recognize that traditional 'boss' roles come with significant social and emotional burdens, and not everyone is suited for or desires such a position.

Notable Moments

Karlous refusing to wear the 'Sparky' dog mascot costume at the fire station, leading to shift-wide disapproval.

Illustrates the petty and sometimes demeaning aspects of workplace culture, especially for new or junior employees, and highlights a moment of personal defiance.

Firefighters attempting to prank Karlous by jumping in a high-lift bucket 60 feet in the air, believing he was scared of heights.

Reveals a racist stereotype and the extent of hazing or 'pranks' in certain work environments, showcasing Karlous's composure under pressure.

A customer throwing a Whopper against a wall in a Burger King due to incorrect mayo, and another throwing a milkshake back through a drive-thru window.

Provides humorous, albeit extreme, examples of customer service challenges and the frustrations faced by fast-food workers.

Quotes

"

"You got to create a yes. Whatever that yes is, create it."

DC Young Fly
"

"I never thought nobody was going to help me from a very young age. That's what gave me my drive."

Karlous Miller
"

"Don't nobody like they boss for real. They tolerate this [__] because he is means to an end. That's really a villain role."

Karlous Miller
"

"Selling weed is a slow ass grind... You got all your money tied up in the weed. You don't got no extra."

Karlous Miller
"

"Some people managed their drug addiction well... Some people who just casually smoke crack."

Karlous Miller

Q&A

Recent Questions

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