We're Here to Help
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Jake Johnson (New Girl, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) and Gareth Reynolds (The Dollop) don't feel qualified to give strangers good advice. Most of their friendship over the last 15 years has been based around dumb bits, but they do (for better or worse) want to try to help people out. Like your friendly local bartender or your tipsy uncle at a family gathering, Jake and Gareth are on the caller's side and trying to help. Each episode, the guys make several pitches to callers (whose questions range from trivial to serious) with their best attempts of advice. They can't promise their suggestions will be perfect, but it will be the best they've got. Jake and Gareth also occasionally bring on a friend, peer or even an expert to help along the way.
Want to call in? Email your question to helpfulpod@gmail.com.
Want to call in? Email your question to helpfulpod@gmail.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 26, 2025 • 1h 14min
234: Merlin & Captain Ron (with Rory Scovel)
This week features Rory Scovel, a comedian and actor known for his sharp wit. He joins Gareth to help a caller who grapples with accepting a $10,000 gift from a quirky uncle with a wizard vibe. They tackle money anxiety and suggest strategies to build trust. The conversation takes a humorous turn when discussing a neighbor's bizarre half-body mannequin art in a tree, leading to creative approaches for resolving the sculpture standoff. Role-playing ensues, filled with laughs and insightful tactics for awkward social dilemmas.
Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 5min
233: Breaking and Entenmann's & Tat-Two
In this engaging discussion, caller Katie, a busy mom of three, seeks advice on managing uninvited neighborhood visits after childbirth. The hosts suggest clever strategies to set boundaries, including using a baby decoy and leaving notes. Katie also shares a tattoo dilemma, where her dog tattoo resembles male anatomy, prompting the hosts to brainstorm creative cover-up solutions. With humor and practical tips, they navigate Katie's challenges, ensuring she feels empowered and ready to tackle her unique situations.
Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 3min
232: Shrewd Little Boy & Danny Two-Times (with Gaten Matarazzo)
Gaten Matarazzo, best known for his role in Stranger Things, joins the conversation to lend his unique perspective on Gen Z relationships. He roleplays a 12-year-old boy caught in a tricky breakup scenario, helping the team explore creative yet humorous strategies to handle young affections. Gaten also chimes in on another caller's dilemma about his girlfriend's refusal to use toiletries at his place, leading to insightful discussions on generosity and boundaries in relationships. The blend of heartwarming advice and playful banter makes for a captivating listen.
Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 20min
231: Wearing Garbage & Scooter Cooter
This episode dives into the humorous side of relationship quirks. A caller's husband has a sentimental shirt that's seen better days, prompting playful solutions for wardrobe intervention. They also tackle a caller's anxiety about sitting on contaminated scooter seats, cleverly dubbing it 'Scooter Cooter.' Their comedic mock PSA raises awareness in a lighthearted way. Plus, an update on a popcorn addiction leads to insights on health needs and kidney donation discussions, blending humor with heartfelt moments.
Nov 14, 2025 • 1h 9min
230: WEIRD Here To Help: A Really Big Horse & Plucking the Piccolo
Ellen shares her enchanting Sedona healing experience, revealing a powerful connection with a giant local horse as her spirit animal. She seeks insights on how to honor this bond, leading to creative suggestions about visiting the horse and capturing the moment through art. Meanwhile, Lars confronts the bizarre issue of a neighbor making loud noises in shared spaces, prompting a humorous discussion around quirky solutions, including playful prank responses. The light-hearted banter keeps the focus on the unique challenges of life.
Nov 12, 2025 • 51min
229: Muffin Beef & Vision Board Loophole (with Ophelia Lovibond)
This episode kicks off with a fun discussion about a baking deception to get a picky coworker to try delicious treats. Creative sting operations include planting fake orders of baked goods! Listeners also dive into the hilarious dilemma of avoiding morning vodka with grandma while sticking to a sobriety pledge, complete with clever tactics like using decoy bottles and non-alcoholic drinks. Plus, there's a light-hearted take on adjusting vision board goals when reality hits. It's a mix of laughs and relatable challenges!
Nov 10, 2025 • 59min
228: Perverts! & Chickens Are Dumber Than Dirt (with Lennon Parham)
Lennon Parham, an actor and comedian known for her improv skills, joins the hosts to celebrate Minx's Netflix debut. They dive into how to navigate a lost family heirloom, suggesting everything from creative lies to roleplaying as a concerned aunt. The conversation takes a hilarious turn with a lonely pig named Frankie, whose escapades are causing chaos in the neighborhood. The trio brainstorm community solutions to keep Frankie entertained, revealing insights into pig intelligence versus chickens. It's a wild blend of humor and practical advice!
Nov 5, 2025 • 57min
227: BEST ADVICE Vol 3: The Cranky Ronnies (with Steve Berg and Eric Edelstein)
Join comedians Steve Berg and Eric Edelstein as they dive into a mix of hilarity and heartfelt advice. Steve shares his quirky concept for a Home Ec segment aimed at hosting disasters, while Eric adds his comedic spin throughout. The duo hears wild stories from callers, including a missing wedding DJ and a creative cheese-eating cover-up. They tackle unique dilemmas, like strategies for managing cigarette requests and embracing the quirks of coworkers. Tune in for laughter and valuable insights!
Nov 3, 2025 • 1h 6min
226: Buttercup's Garden
Pam Reynolds, the hosts' mom, brings her eccentric charm to the discussion, sharing hilarious childhood stories and reacting to a caller's dilemma about her mom, Buttercup, who has an unusual habit of urinating outdoors. The conversation includes inventive intervention suggestions like a teacher voicemail and a staged security scare. The fun escalates as Pam joins in on the role-playing. The hosts also tackle a separate call about privacy issues, brainstorming clever tactics to address intrusive building designs. It's a mix of humor and heart!
Oct 31, 2025 • 1h 4min
225: WEIRD Here to Help: Halloween Special - Real Magic & Closing Down the Store (with John E.L. Tenney)
Join paranormal investigator John E. L. Tenney, a seasoned expert in ghosts, UFOs, and the occult, as he shares his fascinating journey into the world of the strange. Discover how humor plays a crucial role in making paranormal stories relatable. John's practical advice helps a young witch navigate ancestral witchcraft and equips a caller with techniques for protecting her space after a spooky encounter near Mount Shasta. Learn about tarot, pendulum training, and the ethics behind practicing magical arts, all while embracing the quirks of the 'weird'.
