Helping Friendly Podcast Episode Summary
Title: 2025 Summer Venue Draft
Host/Author: Osiris Media
Release Date: June 12, 2025

1. Introduction and Hosts' Update (00:00 – 02:04)

The episode begins with Megan and Brian hosting solo in anticipation of RJ's arrival. Brian jokes about RJ dealing with a tough time in Philadelphia, referencing a recent baseball series loss:

[00:19] Brian: "RJ is navigating the mean streets of Philadelphia, trying to get home with kids in tow. My goodness. We know how that goes, right?"

Megan lightheartedly responds, appreciating the banter without delving into playful song references.

2. Launch of New Merchandise: Top 25 Tours T-Shirt (02:04 – 05:28)

Megan shares the origin story of the new limited edition HFPod T-shirt commemorating their "Top 25 Tours of All Time" series:

[02:39] Megan: "I ran into Levi from Type 2 Designs after a Mondegreen show, and he offered to create HFPod merch. We've collaborated to produce this exclusive shirt featuring our top 25 tours, available at type2designs.com."

Brian praises the design, emphasizing its nostalgic feel:

[04:24] Brian: "It's an incredible shirt. It looks like a classic '90s Fish tour shirt... Fall '95 deserves its spot."

Megan underscores the importance of supporting local designers and the podcast through merchandise purchases.

3. Upcoming Content and Tour Recaps (05:28 – 12:38)

Brian outlines the podcast's future content, including the "Library Card" series covering novels, short stories, and movies:

[10:43] Megan: "We're diving into movies with 'Blockbuster Card' and exploring diverse films from various decades. Upcoming reads include Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen and comparisons between Hemingway and contemporary authors."

Brian appreciates the structured approach, catering to listeners with varying reading paces:

[12:38] Brian: "Having six months to prepare for some of these books is essential for our listeners who prefer a more paced reading experience."

They also tease special episodes for Halloween and Christmas, reinforcing the podcast's commitment to diverse content.

4. Assessing Phish's Summer 2025 Tour Routing (05:28 – 08:17)

Brian and Megan discuss the unconventional routing of Phish's upcoming summer tour, questioning its impact:

[16:08] Brian: "Looking at our upcoming tour routing, it feels a bit strange with new venues and less familiar markets. Do you think this will affect the band's performance?"

Megan remains optimistic, noting Phish's adaptability and enthusiasm for challenges:

[16:08] Megan: "Fish loves a challenge, so I'm curious to see how they perform in new markets like Texas and Colorado."

They agree that Phish's consistent high performance likely mitigates concerns about the unconventional tour schedule.

5. Main Segment: 2025 Summer Venue Draft (22:33 – 120:09)

The core of the episode features the "Summer 2025 Venue Draft," where Brian, Megan, and RJ select their favorite Phish shows from various categories. The draft follows a snake format with ten categories, each representing different regions or cities.

Key Highlights:

• Draft Mechanics:
  Brian explains the snake draft format:

  [22:37] Brian: "We're doing this the exact same way we've always done it in Snake draft format, which Meg, just so you're aware, works 1, 2, 3, 3, 2, 1."

• Notable Picks:

  • Brian: Selects the Texas show from July 25, 1997, praising its intense jams and sit-ins:

    [100:58] Brian: "This is killer, killer stuff. Well done."

  • Megan: Chooses the New Hampshire show from March 6, 1992, highlighting its historical significance and debut performances:

    [89:23] Megan: "This show was a high point for the band. It's playful, it's tight, it's flawless."

  • RJ: Opts for the Chicago show from November 7, 1994, emphasizing its complex setlist and standout jams:

    [114:27] RJ: "This is a hugely underrated sit-in jam that kind of led to a lot more that Fish Fisher in the future."

• Banter and Strategy:
  Throughout the draft, the hosts engage in playful banter, debating picks and strategizing:

  [25:07] Megan: "I just have to go with the best shows, even if it means overlapping with RJ's choices."

  [57:02] RJ: "We're going for it today. Meg, did you pick her choice?"

• Audience Engagement:
  They encourage listeners to follow along on the podcast's website and participate in the draft voting, enhancing community involvement.

• Final Selections:
  By the end of the draft, each host has selected ten shows spanning various regions, ensuring a comprehensive collection that showcases Phish's diverse performances.

6. Conclusion and RJ's Temporary Departure (120:09 – End)

As the draft concludes, RJ announces his upcoming vacation:

[121:07] RJ: "We'll be back next week. Don't forget, HF Pod is not going anywhere. We're hanging here."

Brian and Megan express their well-wishes, highlighting the collaborative and supportive nature of the podcast team:

[121:26] Megan: "We're gonna miss you, RJ. We're gonna miss you, too, but I hope you have a great vacation."

They briefly discuss upcoming plans and tease future episodes, ensuring listeners remain engaged and informed.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "This shirt says hf pod top 25 tours on the front and on the back they have a list of all of the top 25 tours in order and a big HF pod fish."
  — Megan (03:37)

• "Phish loves a challenge, so I'm curious to see how they perform in new markets like Texas and Colorado."
  — Megan (16:08)

• "You have to go there. But I don't really think I'm gonna go there right now. I think I'm going to Philly."
  — Megan (87:19)

• "This is a great way to support the pod and it's the first of many."
  — Megan (04:24)

• "I'm just trying to amass a collection of shows that all of our listeners out there can check out and have a good time listen to before fish goes on tour."
  — Brian (63:18)

Key Takeaways

• Merchandise Launch: HFPod introduced a limited edition T-shirt celebrating their "Top 25 Tours," enhancing fan engagement and supporting local designers.

• Content Expansion: The podcast is broadening its scope with the "Library Card" series, exploring literature and cinema alongside Phish-centric discussions.

• Tour Analysis: Hosts expressed confidence in Phish's ability to excel despite an unconventional summer tour schedule, anticipating strong performances in new venues.

• Venue Draft: The "Summer 2025 Venue Draft" showcased the hosts' deep knowledge of Phish's live performances, selecting iconic shows across various regions to recommend to listeners.

• Community Engagement: Encouraging listener participation through voting and providing detailed show analyses strengthens the podcast's connection with its audience.

• Upcoming Changes: RJ's temporary departure for vacation was announced, with assurances of his return and the podcast's ongoing commitment to its content and listeners.

This episode of the Helping Friendly Podcast offers an engaging blend of fan-driven content, in-depth analysis of Phish's performances, and interactive segments that reinforce the community-centric ethos of the show. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Phish, the discussions and recommendations provide valuable insights into the band's live legacy.