139: Uncle Master Rodney

Summary

Episode 139: Uncle Master Rodney - Detailed Summary

In this engaging episode of We're Here to Help, hosts Gareth Reynolds and Steve Berg, along with their resident expert Kevin Bart, dive deep into two listeners' dilemmas, offering heartfelt and humorous advice to navigate personal challenges. Released on December 12, 2024, this episode encapsulates the show's essence—providing thoughtful guidance with a blend of camaraderie and wit.

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First Listener Call: Erica's Karate Conundrum [07:11 - 29:37]

Caller Background: Erica reaches out from upstate New York, sharing her struggle with her son’s karate classes. Initially enrolling him for a one-month trial, she extended it to three months. However, an accidental six-month commitment left her feeling trapped in an expensive and rigid contract with a strict sensei who insists that progress is only recognized under long-term agreements.

Erica's Dilemma: Erica seeks advice on how to gracefully exit the six-month karate commitment without confrontation, as previous attempts to communicate with the sensei have been unproductive.

Advice from the Hosts:

1. Honest Communication:

   • Steve Berg emphasizes the importance of addressing the issue head-on, asserting, “I think you got to go there and I think you got to say, master, my son will not be continuing this program.”

2. Crafting a Polite Exit Strategy:

   • Gareth Reynolds encourages Erica to draft a heartfelt email, suggesting the introduction of a family member, “Uncle Rodney,” to take over her son’s training, adding a lighthearted touch to ease the tension.
   • Kevin Bart supports this approach, highlighting the need to maintain respect while asserting boundaries.

3. Maintaining Positivity:

   • The trio advises keeping the communication positive and appreciative, ensuring that Erica leaves the dojo on good terms despite her decision to leave.

Notable Quotes:

• Gareth Reynolds [14:31]: “She's going to kill you.”
• Steve Berg [17:12]: “But what was really fun on the producing side was... callers know the show.”
• Kevin Bart [15:00]: “Well, then that's simple. You just don't have to.”

Outcome: Following the hosts' advice, Erica crafts a courteous email to her son’s karate master, introducing “Master Rodney” as a new, donation-based instructor who operates out of an Oldsmobile. Erica subsequently reports back that the sensei did not respond to her email, marking a successful exit from the program.

Erica's Success Story:

• Erica [52:32]: “After that, even if I did want to go back, I can never show my face there again. I've given it about a week and a half and she has chosen not to respond to it. So I'm calling it a win.”
• Gareth Reynolds [53:14]: “Uncle Rodney and his old mobile. Oh my God. Knowing that it's all fake is so great.”

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Second Listener Call: Hope's Chiropractor Challenge [33:57 - 54:36]

Caller Background: Hope, a 28-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska, seeks guidance on how to terminate her relationship with her chiropractor. Despite being a regular client for a year and a half, Hope feels that the chiropractor isn’t effectively addressing her shoulder pain and finds the social interactions awkward and unproductive.

Hope's Dilemma: She desires to stop attending appointments without causing confrontation, especially since her husband also frequents the same chiropractor, complicating the situation.

Advice from the Hosts:

1. Developing a Plausible Reason:

   • Gareth Reynolds suggests Hope and her husband claim they are moving to “Egg Island” in Scotland for an outlandish job, providing a humorous yet effective excuse to discontinue services.

2. Utilizing External Influences:

   • Kevin Bart recommends having Hope’s husband express support for the decision, reinforcing the credibility of their exit strategy.

3. Emphasizing Alternative Treatments:

   • Steve Berg advises Hope to mention exploring other therapies like acupuncture or yoga, offering a valid reason for discontinuing chiropractic sessions.

Notable Quotes:

• Gareth Reynolds [40:55]: “You'll be moving to Egg Island.”
• Hope [43:44]: “I think that could work.”

Outcome: Hope adopts the combined strategy of citing a relocation and introducing alternative treatments. By involving her husband as a supporting factor, she successfully avoids further appointments with the chiropractor without direct confrontation.

Hope's Reflection:

• Hope [43:44]: “I think that could work. I think I'd probably lean more towards like I started going to yoga classes or something.”
• Gareth Reynolds [44:17]: “Let us know how it goes. And let me know if you need me to twist your husband's arm.”

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Follow-Up and Success Stories [49:19 - 54:36]

Erica's Follow-Up: Erica calls back to share her success, confirming that her email effectively ended her son's karate classes without any backlash from the dojo. She also mentions that her son has transitioned to wrestling, enjoying his new activity.

Erica's Update:

• Erica [50:51]: “After that, even if I did want to go back, I can never show my face there again.”
• Gareth Reynolds [53:33]: “So you've got a good, like, standard letter now.”

Hope's Approval: Hope confirms that she feels optimistic about her approach and appreciates the supportive advice from the hosts, especially the humorous element of “Egg Island.”

Hope's Confirmation:

• Hope [44:09]: “Yeah, I think that could work.”

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Hosts' Reflections and Closing Thoughts

Throughout the episode, Gareth, Steve, and Kevin demonstrate a blend of empathy and humor, ensuring listeners feel both understood and entertained. Their ability to craft creative and practical solutions underscores the show’s commitment to helping callers navigate life’s quirks and challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Direct Communication: Addressing issues openly can lead to effective resolutions.
• Creative Problem-Solving: Incorporating humor and plausible narratives can ease tense situations.
• Supportive Community: The camaraderie among the hosts provides a comforting backdrop for listeners seeking advice.

This episode not only highlights common struggles in managing commitments and relationships but also reinforces the value of seeking support from trusted friends—or in this case, podcast hosts—to find workable solutions.

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Notable Quotes Summary:

• Gareth Reynolds [14:31]: “She's going to kill you.”
• Steve Berg [17:12]: “But what was really fun on the producing side was... callers know the show.”
• Kevin Bart [15:00]: “Well, then that's simple. You just don't have to.”
• Gareth Reynolds [40:55]: “You'll be moving to Egg Island.”
• Hope [43:44]: “I think that could work.”
• Gareth Reynolds [44:17]: “Let us know how it goes. And let me know if you need me to twist your husband's arm.”

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This comprehensive summary captures the essence of Episode 139, providing potential listeners with a clear understanding of the discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn by the hosts as they assist Erica and Hope in overcoming their respective challenges.

Transcript

[Gareth Reynolds]

Lights are going up, snow is falling down. There's a feeling of goodwill around town. It could only mean one thing. McRib is here. People throwing parties, ugly sweaters everywhere. Stockings hung up by the chimney with care. It could only mean one thing.

[Jake Johnson]

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[Steve Berg]

And we are back. Oh, Jake, we got the big three. We're doing an intro for Thursday.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Thursday back better than ever. Holidays. Yeah, it's happening.

[Steve Berg]

And you know, we, as we've said before, our show is coming to our first major hiatus.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yep.

[Steve Berg]

And we've had a lot of fun doing it.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yeah.

[Steve Berg]

We've had a full day of calls. We appreciate the community.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yep.

[Steve Berg]

What's something you're going to take from all this, Gareth, that you look back at one day when we are out to eat? If we don't come back right away, where we go, you know what was really fun is blank.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Well, I'll be honest, Jake. I think we, I don't know how much we see eye to eye on the fact that I think we give pretty good advice. I think I really do think about the amount of times where I've been like, that was good advice. And you've been like, no, it wasn't.

[Steve Berg]

No, I don't think that's true. Remember the percentages, Kevin?

[Gareth Reynolds]

The percentage was a red flag. I just tried to hang with my boys a little bit and dropped the ball. But I really think like when we started this show, I didn't know what our kind of wheelhouse would be. But we, when we were doing the New York Times thing, we were saying drunk uncles at a bar. That's why we did the photo shoot at the bar. And I really think we've Hung in there with that premise the whole time. And it is small world problems, but with real thinking towards them.

[Steve Berg]

Yes, I've.

[Arden Marine]

There's been two takeaways for me. Both have been really fun, which is people's problems are so much weirder than I ever thought they would be. The amount of like insane emails that we get in calls we've done has been super fun. So that's been really cool. And then the other. I don't know if this has happened to you guys since we've started doing the show. Not all the time, but maybe like every other month I will see something happen and I'll go, that was just like that call. So kind of that weird combination of like someone, you know, flossing in a place they shouldn't be, and then I like, hear a story about someone also flossing in a weird spot. I'm like, oh, we actually like, had a call. So it's just weird. These like hyper specific issues people have. But then out in the real world, seeing other people dealing with them has been very fun.

[Steve Berg]

Agreed.

[Gareth Reynolds]

What about you, Jake?

[Steve Berg]

It's been nice spending all this time with you, Garf. And over the years, it's more mean texts about sports. So it's been fun. It's such an easy one because it's once a week for 17 weeks.

[Gareth Reynolds]

I know. No, it's amazing how available we both are to talk about.

[Steve Berg]

About sports. Well, you're kind of my last sports friend.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Interesting.

[Steve Berg]

My whole other group, like everybody else, has faded. Um, now that my dad's passed, he was the main guy. So I'm like, I'll be reading about sports. My kids don't care, my wife doesn't care. So I'll read about it and then I'll go like, well, he would be a good potential gm.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Well, what I've never heard of, what I love about our text too, is that you're always like, look, I don't care anymore, but here's eight specific thoughts. Only someone who cares would come up.

[Steve Berg]

Well, I love to read. I still read about every sport.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yeah.

[Steve Berg]

So my favorite thing to do is read about team building. I find it interesting. So fun.

[Gareth Reynolds]

But that's a lot of what this has been.

[Steve Berg]

Yes. Well, that has been so goddamn fun.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Figuring out our tactics and then getting our Mr. H's our honors.

[Steve Berg]

That's the. For me, that is the most fun stuff.

[Gareth Reynolds]

I think that is what is the best is the world building and the way that little things come back and that, you know, you really do start to, you Know, in a good and bad way, we're like, ah, this is a team name.

[Steve Berg]

You know, this is what this thing is.

[Gareth Reynolds]

All right, we got party pitches.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah. All right, fuck it. Let's just go Parmesan on the floor and that's going to help.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Parmesan floor.

[Steve Berg]

Why don't we go a little 70s bush?

[Gareth Reynolds]

Exactly.

[Steve Berg]

But by the way, and I think it's partly a lot of the people, what was really fun on the producing side of it at the beginning was when we were finding the emails, curating, having all those talks of what kind of calls work. And then you find a groove in the groove where now is now. We're going to. A lot of the callers know the show.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yeah.

[Steve Berg]

So they are calling in with the idea of like, I know what you guys are going to kind of say, and what gets really hard is you're like, that's kind of what we're going to say.

[Gareth Reynolds]

What also becomes so funny is when people are like, comfortable talking to you and you're like, I mean, I don't know you necessarily. You know what I mean? I. It's like I. I remember one time we did a show, we did a dollop in like the UK and we went across the street for beers, which was a bad idea. And this one guy came up to me and he just goes, your Irish accent is absolute. And I was sitting there and I was like, okay. And then he goes, he goes, oh, wait, I'm that guy, aren't I? And then he walked away. But anyway, we really have enjoyed it and, you know, excited for a breather, but excited to see what comes next, so.

[Steve Berg]

And without further, further ado.

[Erica]

Hi.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Hi.

[Kevin]

Welcome to. We're here to help. Gareth Reynolds is traveling right now, so I'm filling in for him. My name is Steve Berg and we got Jake Johnson with us and the shark.

[Erica]

Hi, everybody. Happy to be here.

[Steve Berg]

We're happy.

[Erica]

How are you?

[Hope]

Thanks.

[Steve Berg]

Can we start by getting your name, please?

[Erica]

Yeah, my name is Erica.

[Steve Berg]

Erica. Where are you calling from, Erica?

[Erica]

Calling from upstate New York.

[Gareth Reynolds]

What part?

[Steve Berg]

My mother used to live in Troy.

[Erica]

I'm about an hour south of Syracuse.

[Kevin]

Oh, sure, sure, sure, sure.

[Steve Berg]

What sparked you there, Stevie?

[Kevin]

Me?

[Steve Berg]

Yeah.

[Kevin]

Well, well, obviously you're probably close to the finger legs I'm imagining, right?

[Erica]

Yeah, about like a half hour to 45 minute drive, depending on which one you want to go to.

[Kevin]

Well, they're really taking over in the red wine department, which is interesting. The Finger Lakes are putting out some great wines. Oh, that is fun. Have you Been to the. Are you close to the Hudson Valley by any chance?

[Erica]

I honestly have no idea where that is. I'm geographically challenged.

[Kevin]

Okay. Yeah, well, if you make your way down to the Hudson Valley, because there is UFO flaps galore there.

[Erica]

All right, I'll have to do that sometime.

[Steve Berg]

Is it me or is a name of lakes? Finger Lakes. Gross.

[Kevin]

It's gross. It's gross.

[Steve Berg]

Finger Lakes, like in Chicago. We got Lake Michigan.

[Kevin]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Steve Berg]

Finger Lakes.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Feels.

[Arden Marine]

Well, they look like adjacent.

[Steve Berg]

If it feels finger food adjacent, so. That's right. Shark. So, Erica, near the Finger Lakes, if you were going to have a last meal, if you were in jail, you were about to die, be electrocuted, God forbid you committed a crime and you deserved it. And that state approves it, so who are we to judge? This is a goofy podcast, not a political one. But they're going to put you down in about two hours. And the warden says you get a last meal. You can mix and match, get whatever you want. Who gives a rat's ass? It's your food. It's your meal. What's that plate gonna consist of?

[Kevin]

All the sides, all the trimmings.

[Erica]

Yeah. So I think I would have to go with maybe like a braised lamb and then like some mashed potatoes.

[Kevin]

Oh, boy.

[Erica]

And then like a big giant sundae.

[Kevin]

Oh, wow. Elegant.

[Erica]

And then I think we'll be good.

[Kevin]

Would you have a minute?

[Steve Berg]

You're ready to go.

[Kevin]

Would there be a mint sauce to go without braised lamb? You know, as per tradition, I'm thinking.

[Erica]

More of, like a gravy situation.

[Kevin]

Like a wine reduction, perhaps? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay.

[Erica]

Yeah, exactly. Yep.

[Steve Berg]

When Steve and I first met, we were at the Improv Olympic. We got put on a team together and he thought, who's this Greek asshole? Something about the lambs and these sauces made me think of.

[Kevin]

I would kill a Euro right now. Wow.

[Steve Berg]

Me too. Erica, upstate. Very interesting. Last meal. Floor is yours. What can we do for you today?

[Erica]

All right, so. So in January, I wanted to get my son into, like, something fun and, like, physical for him to do, so I ended up signing him up for karate.

[Steve Berg]

Respect. How old?

[Erica]

He's five now.

[Steve Berg]

Self defense.

[Kevin]

Love it.

[Steve Berg]

Yes.

[Erica]

Yeah, exactly. And he's, you know, he's not very coordinated and he needs a little confidence boost, so I thought it would be.

[Steve Berg]

He just needs the right sensei. Eric.

[Erica]

Exactly.

[Kevin]

Period. Period.

[Steve Berg]

Period.

[Erica]

Well, speaking of that, I hate it there. I think the owner is. We've had a couple of, like, interactions that just haven't really Sat well with.

[Steve Berg]

Me and walk us through those interactions, please.

[Erica]

Yeah, yeah. So basically the first one was we originally signed up for a month trial. And then after the month, he really liked it. So I signed up for three months, which was great. And then when that was up, I intended to sign up for three months again, but I accidentally locked myself into a six month commitment. And it's pretty expensive, right? So I emailed her afterward and I said, hey, I'm really sorry. I didn't realize that, like I was signing up for six months and that's totally my bad. Like, is there any way I can do the three months? Again, not encouraging. Basically, yeah. So she emailed me back and maybe.

[Steve Berg]

If you're doing a fucking pottery class, but this is karate. We break boards and heads. We live.

[Kevin]

The contract is signed in blood.

[Steve Berg]

We live by discipline. We live by.

[Erica]

Essentially. So I. So she said no and.

[Kevin]

Whoa. All right, that's interesting.

[Steve Berg]

Well, you're not.

[Erica]

No. And I'm not. No. And she basically also said that the progress that he'd made in the four months that we'd already been there didn't count. And nothing counts until you're locked into a 6 month or 12 month agreement.

[Steve Berg]

What does that mean?

[Kevin]

Wow.

[Steve Berg]

Which is.

[Kevin]

That means towards itself.

[Erica]

Yeah. Well, you're supposed to like promote every four months. And we've been there since January. He's promoted one time and that was at the end of July.

[Steve Berg]

I just need to jump in really fast, Erica, and we're going to get to the thing here. I just have to make an unnecessary statement.

[Erica]

Sure.

[Steve Berg]

I don't like that these martial arts are given belts based on schedule. You've got to earn the belts.

[Kevin]

Yes.

[Steve Berg]

Nowadays. Okay, hold on, but Erica, I'm not talking about the boy right now. Okay, but all of a sudden it's after six months I'm a yo. And then I'm. How about this? When you can defend yourself against six criminals in an ally, then you. Yellow belt.

[Kevin]

This isn't Scientology, where you're paying to advance. This is like you. It's karate. You earn this.

[Steve Berg]

Can you do a flip kick and kick off somebody's head? If not, you're not a black belt in my dojo. So Erica, she. She said the sensei is a woman.

[Erica]

Yes. It's. Well, master. She's a master.

[Kevin]

Respect.

[Steve Berg]

So she doesn't go by sensei, she goes by master.

[Erica]

Yes.

[Steve Berg]

And what are her credentials to get that title? I'm just asking because this is something I would love in my life.

[Kevin]

Not a bit.

[Arden Marine]

She did she did a three month course.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah, exactly. Well, I think honestly all you got to do to get the title of master because it's not like a degree, you just have to do it in an email a couple times and you need a few people to go like Master Johnson. Oh my God. How great would this be to try to create a nickname if it stuck with anybody? Master. Not Dr. Master. So she's a master. And she said the three Cl. The three months he did are dog. But now that you're in six months, his journey begins. That was an appetizer into the world of karate. But now that he is a karate student, we began his journey.

[Erica]

Yes, exactly. So I kind of was just like whatever. Like that was my bad. I accidentally signed up for the six months and I signed the thing. So I guess I'm locked in. So my problem comes. I got a letter from her last week and it said I want to have a one on one meeting with you to discuss his renewal and his training going forward. Because our membership.

[Steve Berg]

Erica, we got to start training you right away because you're going to fight the master.

[Kevin]

Sounds like it.

[Steve Berg]

She's got Erica. She's going to kill you.

[Erica]

I'm honestly scared. She scares me.

[Steve Berg]

So here's what we got to do. You got to sweep the leg. Okay. I'm going to teach you a move where one leg goes up your arms. Do this weird thing I've never seen before.

[Kevin]

We'll call it a crane. For now.

[Erica]

She's got some advantages on me. I don't know if I could take her.

[Steve Berg]

All right, so here's the first thing you need to do. You need to wash my car. And while you're washing my car wax. Then you need to do all the laundry in my house.

[Kevin]

My patio could use a paint job.

[Steve Berg]

Then you pushed the dirty laundry in the dryer.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Push.

[Steve Berg]

Okay, so she wants to meet you in a week.

[Erica]

Yeah. Or like she just gave me some times and told me to sign up for one of them.

[Steve Berg]

And what do you think the master wants to meet with you about?

[Kevin]

These are office hours. How weird.

[Erica]

It's to discuss renewing my membership, which I don't want to do. Yeah. Or 12. I think after this one you have to sign up for a year.

[Steve Berg]

Have to as wild.

[Kevin]

Yeah, this the. I mean, I mean I will, I will say this as a person who has read a lot about cult activity. This is a cult like structure to where you force people in. Well, you force people in to a financial obligations to have them advance. This is a yes, sketchy, I will say.

[Erica]

Exactly. And I guess that's my frustration with it. But now I either have to meet with her or send her an email or something and just get out of it now.

[Steve Berg]

But what is. What does Danielson think? Does he like it?

[Erica]

He did it first, and now it's. The class structure is weird. It's like the same thing every week. So he's not, like, learning new things.

[Kevin]

Let me ask you, is this so in your general, like, area where you live, Is this the only game in town? Is there another dojo you could possibly go to?

[Erica]

I met with another one before I decided to go to this one, and it was great, but the schedule just wasn't going to work out for me. And they only did monthly, and it was way cheaper.

[Steve Berg]

Interesting. Okay, so the specific question, Erica, is then what? What do you do with this upcoming meeting?

[Erica]

Yeah. Or how do I get out of it before that meeting? Because I've just been going to avoid confrontation. I tried to just ghost them and I didn't show up for like a week. And then they called me asking me where we were. So I've been going to avoid talking to her.

[Kevin]

That tells me you have the upper hand. And I'll tell you why. Because if they're writing you actual. Yeah, well, she's writing actual letters. They're calling, they're wanting to set up office hour meetings. They're desperate for money. The lights are about ready to be turned off in this place.

[Steve Berg]

It is the funniest thing about business, and it's the funniest thing about negotiations. When she goes, like, you have to sign up for 12 months. There's no negotiation. But she needs the money. And you go, no, six months. She'll go, I'm willing to make one exception. And you go, actually, four months.

[Kevin]

Well, then. Well, first off, then that's simple. You just don't have to. I know you want your kid to be involved in something. Is there something else that's like martial arts? Like.

[Steve Berg]

Yes, but, Steve, we're not talking about Danielson's other hobbies. We're talking about in a week or so. She's got a scheduled meeting with the master, and either she blows it off or she goes to it. And my first thought, Erica, is you don't blow it off.

[Erica]

Yeah, okay.

[Steve Berg]

I think you go to that meeting, I'll tell you what she's not gonna do. And I just know this as a fan of karate, what it stands for. A karate master is not going to roundhouse kick, just a random lady in upstate New York. There's no pride in that.

[Kevin]

And if you did, you just got rich because you can sue, sue, sue.

[Steve Berg]

So there'll be no pride or kicking you in the head. But I think you got to go there and I think you got to say, master, my son will not be continuing this program. And I think you've got to break up with the karate master because if you just don't show up, she's going to keep going.

[Kevin]

Yep.

[Steve Berg]

And if you try to say like, we're really slammed right now, then every three months there's going to be another thing. I think you need to have the reasons why. And I think you should say, I don't like the payment structure. We didn't like this other thing and it's not working for my son. And so. And I think you can actually do it via email.

[Kevin]

Yeah, you definitely.

[Erica]

Because I'm a pushover and I can see her talking me into.

[Steve Berg]

Literally as I was saying it out loud, Erica, that's what I thought. I felt like it's going to end with your son doing a month by month with this person.

[Erica]

And yes, it absolutely would.

[Steve Berg]

Yes. So I think this is an email.

[Erica]

Okay.

[Steve Berg]

I think it is an email. And I think you got to think of her as a little bit of the bad guy.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yeah.

[Steve Berg]

And I think you got to think of yourself as a little bit of the good guy.

[Kevin]

This is you two in the octagon for the final battle. And I think if, and also, also like your reasoning behind not wanting to do this is so beyond valid. I mean, the, the, the, the master is out of control.

[Steve Berg]

Here's another pitch. You have to stop going. Because your son found a new master. And we make a video that Steve is the new karate master.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Steve Berg]

And the new master does not want any other influence on his young prote. Yeah.

[Erica]

That is an excellent idea.

[Steve Berg]

Right. And then it's very simple. Hey, just got to let you know, I need to cancel. My son's uncle in law is actually a karate master too. Didn't know that.

[Kevin]

And he's also a river rafting instructor.

[Steve Berg]

But long story short, he came in town, he's been kind of living in and out of his Oldsmobile and crashed at the pad. And lo and behold, for a bigger guy, he had some kicks and punches. But when he found out that Danielson was doing karate, he has taken a big interest in it and he's going to be his main master. And unfortunately his rule is no two masters in the dojo.

[Kevin]

Yeah. They cancel each other out he's opening up a little shop down by no Fingers.

[Steve Berg]

No, no. No competition. No other shop. He does everything out of his Oldsmobile. In parks.

[Kevin]

Yep, yep, yep, yep. In parks. In parks.

[Arden Marine]

And he has a non compete.

[Steve Berg]

I have a non compete.

[Kevin]

I have a non compete clause.

[Steve Berg]

So you go like, sorry about this. We love the classes there, but now that it's a family matter, we're going to have to go with Master Rodney.

[Kevin]

Yeah, all the best.

[Erica]

I just email her the video.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Steve Berg]

And then. Or we. We either do a video or we just do an audio clip or we don't even necessarily need the clip. If you just. What if we just wrote that email?

[Erica]

Yeah, that would work. That would absolutely work.

[Steve Berg]

All right, Erica, you want to pull up the email and we'll pen it together?

[Kevin]

Yeah, let's write it right now.

[Erica]

Yeah. Can I handwrite it and then I'll email it later?

[Steve Berg]

Of course you can. Of course.

[Erica]

Okay, just checking. So I like to follow the rules.

[Steve Berg]

I love it. We got a lot of rule followers who call in, which I respect.

[Kevin]

Yeah, yeah.

[Steve Berg]

A lot of people are like, I know. I'm just really trying to follow all the rules here.

[Kevin]

A sense of decorum.

[Arden Marine]

It makes sense, though, because the people who don't follow the rules, they don't have problems. They just, like, do whatever they want.

[Kevin]

Yeah, they create the problem.

[Arden Marine]

Exactly.

[Steve Berg]

That's actually really funny. The rule callers are calling in to deal with the people who create problems.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yes.

[Steve Berg]

We would never get a call from the master of a karate dojo being like, how do I continue to make people stay like that?

[Kevin]

They'd be like, you are kicked out of class.

[Steve Berg]

Okay, Erica, do you want to start the email in your own words? You've got the information. Rodney's either your uncle or however you want to do it. He came in town. He is a he. His career is. He performs in parking lots of Walmarts doing karate demos. Yeah, he, you know, came through town to do a demo, I guess.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Steve Berg]

And then your son got interested. He started teaching him and he's going to stay in the area for a while and really take over his classes. But he has a no compete clause and he's going to be his new karate master. So we really appreciate you starting us on this journey, but it's Rodney's show.

[Kevin]

Now and maybe just to throw it in the master's face. It's a pay what you can. So Rodney's not. Rodney's not even in it for the money.

[Erica]

Family.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, because it's free. Because it's family.

[Kevin]

There we go. I love that throw. Throw the price right back in the master's face.

[Steve Berg]

All right, Erica, you want to start just saying the letter out loud as you're writing it.

[Erica]

Okay, so we're going to say dear Master and then her name.

[Kevin]

Imagine making people call you that.

[Steve Berg]

I can.

[Kevin]

I mean, insanity.

[Steve Berg]

I would love it. I would love it. I'm gonna change my zoom to it. Master. Master Jake.

[Erica]

I am writing to you on behalf of my son in regards to his continued membership at the karate place.

[Kevin]

Great first sentence.

[Erica]

Well, I was trying not to give the name of it.

[Kevin]

It's very good. No, it's very good.

[Steve Berg]

Well done.

[Erica]

Well, thank you. So while I appreciate the effort that has been put into my son's karate to this point, I am unfortunately going to have to go a different direction with the rest of his training. Yes, his. His uncle, Master Rodney, has come into town and will be staying for an extended period of time. Yes, we have chosen to take over his karate and his teachings with Master Rodney as he is family and it is free.

[Steve Berg]

Ooh.

[Erica]

Appreciate everything. Again, hold on.

[Steve Berg]

Before you finish, Erica, do you want to mention that he lives out of his Oldsmobile or.

[Arden Marine]

No, some of his credits.

[Steve Berg]

It's up to you.

[Erica]

Yeah, I'll say. He stores his sparring gear in his old mobile. He is very old fashioned and we appreciate tradition.

[Kevin]

That's great. Oh, my God, that's so good.

[Steve Berg]

That's great.

[Kevin]

I. The old fashioned and appreciates tradition. Is the chef's kiss.

[Steve Berg]

I think so, too. Okay. And keep going.

[Erica]

And then just. I think that's it. So then just sincerely me.

[Kevin]

Wax on, wax off.

[Steve Berg]

There's also, and this is just a pitch. It might not work. The only unfortunate news is he has asked to borrow money a bunch, but as of this point, we've said no. Rodney Gam.

[Erica]

It's a donation. He asked for donations.

[Steve Berg]

He asked for rather than free.

[Kevin]

I love that.

[Steve Berg]

It's just, you know, he has. But Rodney does ask for donations. Pay what you can. And the only battle we've had is we've said, well, you've been eating in our house, staying in our house. But that's not for this email.

[Erica]

We have donated sandwiches.

[Steve Berg]

We have donated, but he's eaten enough ham to put two kids through college. So then I would end it with like a But all the best, Master. Whatever. We appreciate the four months we had and for you, opening our eyes to the wonderful world of karate.

[Erica]

Excellent.

[Steve Berg]

Steve, did you start eating really fast?

[Kevin]

No, I started sneezing. Yeah, I Bent off frame to grab some mashed potatoes really quick.

[Erica]

No chicken today.

[Steve Berg]

No chicken.

[Kevin]

Well played, Erica.

[Steve Berg]

Well played. And then, Erica, when you're ready, will you read us back the email? And let's you and me, Steve and Shark and the audience all think about this for a second from the master of the karate's point of view. When you receive this, let's see if there's going to be any backlash. Let's see if we. We don't want to put Eric in a bad spot. No, we want Master whatever to read it and go like, all the best.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Steve Berg]

Lost another person. I pushed too hard in business.

[Erica]

Dear Master, I have received your letter regarding my son's continued membership at the karate place. Unfortunately, after some thought, we have decided to go a different direction with his teaching. His uncle, Master Rodney has returned to town from far away and is currently teaching lessons out of his old mobile which he stores his karate equipment in. He requires only donations for continued teaching and does not have a set monthly price. This fits better with our lifestyle and we will be continuing our care with him. Oh, I forgot about the tradition part. I wrote bullet points.

[Steve Berg]

It's a. By the way, this is Erica. This is really good.

[Kevin]

This is really good. It's from the heart.

[Erica]

Okay. All right. Master Rodney is old fashioned and he appreciates tradition. At this time, we will be continuing with him. Thank you for all of your care in teaching my son karate and opening our eyes to this world. All the best, Erica.

[Kevin]

That's great. Believable.

[Steve Berg]

I think it's great.

[Kevin]

It's perfect. Cut, print.

[Arden Marine]

It's very positive too. Like, yeah, this could have gone in such like a meaner way that it didn't. So just feels very, very light.

[Kevin]

I think this is going to get you out.

[Steve Berg]

If I'm the master of the studio.

[Erica]

I'm a nice lady.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah. My kind of thought is I might write back. Trust me, these Master Rodneys do not have credentials. Blah, blah, blah. But then you don't have to follow up with it.

[Kevin]

Yep.

[Erica]

Yeah, yeah, Right. Then I stop.

[Steve Berg]

She's like, this guy is a hustler. But then that's the world of karate.

[Kevin]

And then she can take a look at herself. She's like, am I the hustler too?

[Steve Berg]

Oh, but she can kick and punch. Rodney can't. He just eats sandwiches.

[Kevin]

She says she can. We don't know that.

[Steve Berg]

I guarantee she could kick someone.

[Kevin]

Yeah, I'm sure she can.

[Steve Berg]

So will you take a screen grab of the email?

[Erica]

I will.

[Steve Berg]

And then send it to the shark and we could post that and we'll black out everybody's names and email addresses.

[Erica]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Steve Berg]

Erica, I think you're gonna get out of trouble here.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Erica]

Thank you. I can't. I cannot thank you guys enough for your assistance.

[Steve Berg]

I think you swept the leg.

[Kevin]

Yeah, I really do.

[Steve Berg]

I think that's a big win.

[Kevin]

You won.

[Steve Berg]

You win the movie.

[Kevin]

The music swells. I mean, it's beautiful. It's beautiful. Everyone's turned for you.

[Erica]

Oh, I love that. Thank you so much.

[Steve Berg]

Please follow up with us. We'd love to hear how she responds.

[Erica]

I will for sure. Thank you so much.

[Steve Berg]

Thanks, Erica. Thank you.

[Kevin]

Bye, Erica.

[Erica]

Bye.

[Arden Marine]

Bye.

[Steve Berg]

This episode is sponsored by Rocket Money. Rocket Money is the app that helps you get rid of unwanted subscriptions that you're paying for and you no longer need. Rocket Money is a personal finance app that helps you find and cancel your unwanted subscriptions, monitors your spending, and helps lower your bills so you can grow your savings. See all your subscriptions in one place and know exactly where your money is going. For any you don't want anymore. Rocket Money can help you cancel. With just a few taps, Rocket Money's dashboard gives you a clear view of your expenses across all of your accounts. Rocket Money has over 5 million users and has saved a total of 500 million in canceled subscriptions, saving members up to $740 a year when they're using all the app's features.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Stop wasting money on things you don't use. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions by going to rocket money.com help. That's rocket money.com help. Rocket money.com help.

[Kevin]

Help.

[Gareth Reynolds]

And we're brought to you by Dollar Shave Club. Dollar Shave Club offers shave and grooming products that are always high quality but never over priced. Listen, I have been using dollar Shave Club razors for a long time. They have wet shave products. Julie, flip the script on how we shave. It's so much easier now. They have things like the Club Series 6 Blade Razor. It's just a perfect shave. You look at me, I've got a beard, but I trim around. Don't tell anybody. Six stainless steel blades and it's the closest and most comfortable shave imaginable. There's the diamond grip handles, heavy metal handles. That one's worth the wait. Shave butter. I know what you're saying. I've been putting that on my popcorn. You're doing it all wrong. You put it on your face. And there's also post shave do. Okay. They have a double headed electric trimmer. There's style, detailer, precision trimmer for everything personal care for dudes. So do us a favor and join up with the Dollar Shave Club.

[Steve Berg]

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[Gareth Reynolds]

And we are brought to you by Uncommon Goods. Listen, you want to spark something uncommon this holiday season? Do it with the right gift from Uncommon Goods. Now if you haven't finished your holiday shopping yet, do not lose your mind. Don't go running into the streets, breaking windows and just punching strangers and things like that. Just go to uncommongoods.com they have tons of amazing products from there. I'm not going to lie, I got a sweater with dogs on it. But they have so much more stuff. You can go there and you could just. It really is an amazing place to source a bunch of things. It feels like you're going through Indiana Jones's library. There's just tons of things and you're supporting small independent businesses. When you go to uncommongoods.com Many of their handcrafted products are made in small batches. So don't wait around and be like oh, come back tomorrow and get it now. Uncommon Goods looks for their products then make sure they're high quality, unique, handmade, made in the usa. They have the most meaningful out of the ordinary gifts anywhere. Whether it's the holiday host or hostesses gifts or cool finds for kids like Kevin has five Kids or hits for book lovers, Die hard sports fans. Whatever it is, go to uncommongoods.com and with every purchase you make at Uncommon Goods they give back $1 to a non profit partner of your choice. They've donated more than $3 million to date. Mom, are you there? Yes, I'm doing an ad for Uncommon Goods. Do you like their products? I'll call you back. So go to uncommongoods.com do it.

[Steve Berg]

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[Hope]

Hello.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Hi there. Welcome to America's number one podcast. We're here to help. You have Gareth, you've got the shark and instead of Jake we have the great Arden Marine is joining us. Guest helper I should point out. Hi Arden.

[H]

Hi, guys. So happy to be here.

[Gareth Reynolds]

And I know you mean it.

[H]

Yeah, I do.

[Gareth Reynolds]

I know. Can we get your name? Not you, Arden. Your rough age and where you're calling from, please?

[Hope]

Hi, I'm Hope. I'm 28 and I'm calling from Omaha, Nebraska.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Oh, beautiful. Steve Burke, country. Our buddy, friend of show, Steve Burke.

[H]

I love Steve Berg.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Looking for fans, looking for UFOs, looking for smoking one hitters. Seeing Sasquatches every Saturday and Sunday. Don't mind.

[H]

He's so good at being Steve Berg. And I'll be honest. I'll be honest.

[Gareth Reynolds]

I'd rather eat canned corn than fresh. Sorry if that's a crime.

[Steve Berg]

Wow.

[H]

That's how I feel like I'm. I feel like I'm hanging out with Steve Burr.

[Gareth Reynolds]

My favorite way to open wine is actually to do the trick where you put it in a shoe and you bang it against the wall till the court comes out, and then you just rip it out like Captain Jack Sparrow.

[H]

Wow.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Like a buccaneer. Okay, Hope, you're 28, you're from Omaha. Let's party. What is going on?

[Hope]

Okay, so I'll start with the question, then I'll backtrack into the backstory.

[Gareth Reynolds]

However you want to.

[Hope]

So I want to know, how do I break up with my chiropractor?

[Gareth Reynolds]

Oh, great.

[Hope]

Backstory is I've been seeing.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Come on. Too easy. Stop. This is funny. Well, it's a backstory about your back. This is very good already.

[Hope]

We'll pretend that was intentional. Yeah. So I've been going there for about a year and a half, and he's a really nice guy. I want to preface, like, I don't think he's, like, creepy or anything, but I just, like, don't know how to talk to him. Like, he's very socially awkward and so am I. So it just creates, like, a standstill of zero conversation the entire time that I'm in there. Or very awkward, like, dad joke kind of conversation where I don't know if I should laugh or just kind of let it pass.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Like the backstory play.

[Hope]

Yeah, exactly like that. Exactly. And I also just don't feel like the chiropractor has really worked for me at all. I don't feel any less pain than before, and maybe I need to just go somewhere else, but I also just don't want to spend my time and money on something that I don't feel like is actually working for me.

[H]

I have two questions, if I may hope. Okay, so I went to a chiropractor was. Everybody wants to go to their guy. Like, I got this guy. You got to. This is the guy. They're going to fix you now. I had a shoulder problem, and he just kept adjusting my pelvis, and it made me really uncomfortable. Has. Have you felt uncomfortable with this chiropractor?

[Hope]

No, I wouldn't say in that way.

[H]

Okay, that's good. Number two, that guy, that.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Listen, it's all interconnected. So I'm not saying. But you definitely got to log some hours in the shoulder. If you're also going to do pelvis, you can't just be like, eh, let me go to the pubis and go from there.

[H]

That's literally what I was like, I am not going back to your guy. Okay, here's my. I'm very not confrontational. I was not raised confrontational. And I. And I'm a. I'm a big fan of. I actually think this might help you more. And it's okay to have a white lie, but maybe it's not a white lie. I think you might say, I'm gonna take a pause on this for now. I'm gonna go investigate acupuncture. But, like, you know, but I'll let you know. I would maybe open it up just like, you know, I feel like I'm sort of. We've plateaued and perhaps we could. You know, I'm gonna go investigate acupuncture, but I'll reach out to you in the new year if it doesn't work.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Hope, why is it tough? Why? What makes this such a difficult situation to break off from? I mean, he's just a chiropractor.

[Hope]

Well, sure, but I just.

[Erica]

I don't know.

[Hope]

How do I just say, like, I don't want to spend my time and money on this anymore. I mean that.

[H]

Just maybe just don't. Can you just not book another appointment?

[Hope]

Yeah, I mean, I could. I guess I could just cancel my next one and say, well, you want to know?

[Gareth Reynolds]

I pulled this. This is what I pulled once. I lived in Idaho for 2020 alone, like a psychopath.

[H]

I remember that.

[Gareth Reynolds]

And I tore my hamstring. And this is actually when I first started doing your podcast, Arden.

[H]

I remember that.

[Gareth Reynolds]

And I tore my hamstring, and so I started to go see, please don't.

[Arden Marine]

Say you're at the lowest point in your life and then say, this is when I started doing Arden's podcast because.

[H]

I bought the lowest point of his life.

[Gareth Reynolds]

It was the worst era ever. I became a regular on Arden's show. Yeah, I was watching the Bachelor. But what I did was, right. I kind of teed up because I saw a few ineffective people before I finally saw someone who was, like, kind of decent. And I'd gone to this one dude a few times, and he was real kind of intense. And I basically just said I was moving. And I just said I was moving back to California. And then I said that two sessions prior. And then I just pulled the trigger and moved. And then I was like, if I ever want to go back, I'll just be like, yeah, I'm back for a little bit. You could just pull the move. Lie. If you really feel this level of attachment to this person.

[H]

I also think you could use the holidays. You could be like, oh, I've got a really full plate. I'm hosting Thanksgiving. And, you know, we gotta create the holidays are crazy if I'm still in pain in the new year. But I like moving.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Well, what were you going to say, Hope? You had a pushback. What was it?

[Hope]

Well, I don't think the moving would work because now my husband also goes there. So you're getting divorced.

[Gareth Reynolds]

You're getting divorced.

[H]

You have to get divorced.

[Gareth Reynolds]

You're getting divorced. You have a restraining order and you have to leave the state.

[H]

You have to get a restraining order.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Is an alcohol. I'll stop. Okay, okay. But what do you think about. Maybe the husband part does complicate it.

[Arden Marine]

Does he have a similar experience? Does he not like it as well?

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yeah.

[Hope]

And he's been to other. Another chiropractor before that he felt was really effective. And he feels like this guy is just maybe not that great.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Hope, here's what we're going to do. We're going to put the fact that you're married is very helpful and that your husband's going. We're going to make your husband tell him that you're just trying acupuncture or something like that for a little bit. You don't even have to do it. You just let your husband do it. Two sessions into it, he's probably going to go, hey, Hope hasn't called in a while, and you're going to. And he's going to say, oh, yeah, I think she's trying to acupuncture for a little bit instead. That's all it is. Will your husband do that?

[Hope]

Yeah, I feel like he's a little more good with confrontation than I am.

[Gareth Reynolds]

That's what we're going to. I put it on him.

[H]

Or you could also both say that you're moving and then go back to the good chiropractor that you're also a.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Great pitch, which is. Yeah, you're both moving. You could make up a great job. You guys won a job to go live on Egg island in Scotland and be in charge of importing their pork.

[H]

Wow. I like that.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Have some fun with it.

[Arden Marine]

How did you pull that so quick?

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yeah, I have a dream job. I see myself on Egg island eventually.

[H]

I want you. I want you on.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Oh, I need to go. I need to go. It's just the best I could do. My accent there, you know.

[H]

Let me hear it.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Well, we've not got as much pork shoulder as we'd hoped, but we're getting a bit of the back bacon in this week. I think you'll find that quite lovely for the scotch eggs.

[H]

Wow.

[Arden Marine]

Nice job.

[Gareth Reynolds]

That's where I need to be.

[H]

I don't want to fight you.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Okay. Okay. What do you think of that, Hope? I like that. If your husband's kind of ambivalent on this guy, too, you're moving.

[Hope]

I don't hate that. I feel like that could work because I don't think we have any other connections or, like, people that might rat us out to him or anything.

[H]

Yeah, you're moving to Egg Island. You're moving to Egg Island.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Please say Egg Island. I think that's what you do. I would do. This is what I would do. I would do the two pronged, and one of these will work. You say to your husband, look, are we done with this guy or not? If your husband says, I want to give him another few months, you let him know that you're just going to stop going and he's going to have to liaise on the fact that you are now into acupuncture. Or you started to do yoga, some version of that. If your husband's like, yeah, I'm kind of over this guy, too. You both have two sessions to sort of start peppering in. Ah, he got this job. Yeah, we're pretty excited. We're deciding next session. You're moving in the new year, so after the holidays, you're not going to be able to see this guy anymore. Go with that.

[H]

I actually have to say, having had a lot of back pain, acupuncture helped me more than chiropractic.

[Gareth Reynolds]

You did just call it acupuncture. And is that because you love it so much?

[H]

It's my nickname for it. It's my love name for it. Acupuncture.

[Erica]

Yeah.

[H]

Okay.

[Steve Berg]

Baby bb.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yeah. All right. Hope, what do you think? I mean, those Are those are the two leading pitches? Are you down for that? That's a kind of a choose your own adventure.

[Hope]

Yeah, I like that. I think that could work. I think I'd probably lean more towards like I started going to yoga classes or something. I don't know. I don't know if he could sell the acupuncture, but I mean, maybe I'll try that. I don't know, maybe that would be more effective.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Whatever you think is going to work, but I would just make your husband push it. I would make your husband be like, just say he's going to know I'm gone. Just tell him I started doing yoga. Or acupuncture. Or acupuncture, depending on how much you take to it.

[H]

Yeah, I say acupuncture.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yeah, say acupuncture. Is that what you're going to go with, Hope?

[Hope]

Yeah, I think that could work.

[Gareth Reynolds]

All right. And you think your husband's going to respond to this?

[Hope]

I hope so. I'm going to. I'm going to make him do it.

[Gareth Reynolds]

If he pushes back, do a quick call in for a follow up with him and I'll twist his arm and tell him that he has to do this.

[H]

He has to do this.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Going to leave him.

[H]

You're going to get a divorce.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yeah. You really are going to move.

[H]

You're going to move to Egg Island.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yeah, to Egg island, which. Where I'll be importing different pork or as I call it, import king. Stop it, Kevin.

[H]

I don't want to fight you.

[Gareth Reynolds]

There you go. See, Arden's really got that one phrase close to down. Kevin, we all heard you kind of roll your eyes with your voice and none of us appreciate that. But Hope, keep us posted. Let us know how it goes. And let me know if you need me to twist your husband's arm.

[Hope]

Okay, Sounds great.

[Gareth Reynolds]

All right, thanks. Good luck out there.

[Hope]

Yeah, thank you so much.

[Gareth Reynolds]

All right. And we are brought to you by Squarespace. Squarespace. Listen, we're here to solve problems and Squarespace helps us. The problem solvers also solve problems. Despite being really easy to use and very user friendly. Despite the fact that Kevin and I both have our personal websites used by the Squarespace template. Again makes it look very professional. We also have Squarespace step in like a great bench player on the here to help basketball team. I'm pushing it. They, they have helped us make websites for problems that we needed to solve. When people need something to promote them or corroborate a fib. Because look, sometimes you got to get in the Dirt. You got to muck it up a little bit. Squarespace helps us with that.

[Arden Marine]

It is shocking how many problems you can solve with a convincing website.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Well, we, I honestly, dare I call it a crutch eventually, because we would go like, we could just make you a website and we would just make them a website. Yeah, I mean, it. It really is. You could make it for whatever, but also your business. It doesn't always have to be for nefarious activities. They have design, intelligence, Squarespace payments connect social and multimedia accounts, invoicing. You could sell your content, SEO tools. Truly, the list goes on and on. We love Squarespace. Squarespace loves us. I've been told. I haven't actually had contact with them. They don't return emails. Some of them bounce back, which is funny. But. Join the Squarespace movement, people.

[Steve Berg]

Head to squarespace.com Gil sent me to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code Gil.

[Gareth Reynolds]

And we are brought to you by Philo. Listen, Philo's got current seasons of shows that I can't miss. We can't miss. We watch TV together live on networks like A E, mtv, Discovery, and tlc. You've got the classics. The Office, Martin, Friends. What did I say? The classics. I'm not lying. Shows you can watch over and over again. Originals on AMC, Mad Men, Orphan Black. It's also got 75,000 movies and shows. That is the rest of your life's viewing pleasure right there. All right, you can rewatch it over and over again. And look, I've said it before. Jake and I. Jake and I will text about some of the shows that maybe aren't as mainstream. We have a lot of those in common. One of those is Love after Lockup or Life after Lockup. This show is something you should really get involved in. It's a very bingeable show and it is available here, so. But also Jersey Shore family vacation. Catfish. Honestly, the re. One of the reasons Jake and I were able to start this show was because of Jake's love of catfish. So Golden Girls, best pilot ever made. You can go watch all these shows. So do it.

[Steve Berg]

Best of all, with Philo, you get all this for just 28 bucks a month. No contracts, no hassles, just one subscription and a world of entertainment. So go to Philo TV and check it out for a free seven day trial. That's Philo P H I L O TV to start watching. This episode is brought to you by Greenlight. Greenlight is a debit card and money app for Families. Parents can send money to their kids and keep an eye on kids spending and savings while kids and teens build money, confidence and lifelong financial literacy skills. This is something that I use with my kids. I like being able to put their chores on it. I like being able to have them monitor how much money they have as opposed to always asking me to buy them things. Millions of parents and kids are learning about money on Greenlight. It's the easy, convenient way for parents to raise financially smart kids and families to navigate life together.

[Gareth Reynolds]

It's very important. Yes, it is important because Jake, a lot of people were raised with parents who didn't do anything like this. They would just hide $100 bill around their place and let their kids find it. So listen, sign up for Greenlight [e-mail] GilSentMe that's Greenlight.com Gil sent me. And try Greenlight today. Greenlight.com Gil sent me.

[Erica]

Hello.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Welcome back. Hi.

[Erica]

Thank you.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Welcome back. You're on with the shark And Gareth, we do not have Jake today, but we will pass along what I'm hoping is a success story. We know your follow up. We don't know what the. I don't know what the first call was. So can you tell me that and then tell. Tell us what happened.

[Erica]

Yeah, yeah. Just really quick. I didn't. I didn't meet you last time. Was it Garrett? No, I'm totally kidding. Sorry.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yeah. Okay.

[Arden Marine]

But you did point out something interesting and I think I've made a major producing flaw, but this could actually be kind of fun. And that's how I. That's how I'm gonna spin it.

[Gareth Reynolds]

I don't. Yeah, I mean, the best.

[Arden Marine]

Yeah. Gareth, I don't think was on the first call. So maybe you could briefly give him a recap for what happened and what. And what you ended up doing.

[Erica]

Yeah. So the original call was with Jake and Steve Berg. My whole thing was I had to. I. My son was going to karate and we'd been in it for a. And I just. We weren't vibing, so I needed to quit and Jake and Steve kind of helped me. And they told me. Well, I got a letter from the woman telling me that she wanted to set up a face to face meeting to talk about, you know, continued commitment moving forward. And I. Christ, I wanted to quit.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yeah. As you should. That's crazy. Okay.

[Erica]

Yeah. So anyways, they helped me kind of set and, you know, give me information to put into an email to send to her. So I did that.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Okay.

[Erica]

And I sent A picture of the email to Kevin. Basically the email said that my son will no longer be going there and we are going to be taking up lessons with his uncle Rodney who will be moving back to town and transporting him to lessons and his.

[Gareth Reynolds]

So I'm going to leave names out of this, but. Dear Master Blank, I received your letter regarding setting up a meeting to discuss Blank's continued instruction. Unfortunately, this time it will not be renewed. Renewing. He's received a few lessons from his uncle, Master Rodney, who will be moving back to town soon. He has offered to provide private lessons on a donation based price plan and provide transportation to lessons via his Oldsmobile. Very specific. So. So whoever's reading this like this.

[Arden Marine]

Who do you think pitched that part?

[Gareth Reynolds]

I don't even need to tell me his name. But I guarantee you lessons ended with a th. Receiving lessons based on tradition and discipline by someone he knows has been beneficial for Blank. And I feel that this will be a better fit moving forward. I did want to thank you for your time and dedication to Blank. You and your staff have introduced him to the world of karate. Karate. And we intend to continue to grow based on the foundation you have provided best. Erica. Okay, great. I mean, I think that's great. You sent this to the master. What happened?

[Erica]

I did. And I. After that, even if I did want to go back, I can never show my face there again. I've given it about a week and a half and she has chosen not to respond to it. So I'm calling it a win.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Yep. Listen, sometimes you get. I've done that. You get it out there and there's no response, but that's fine. You don't need. Listen, you've moved on. Uncle Rodney. Is. Is Uncle Rodney really going to train your son?

[Erica]

No, he's fake.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Okay. It's just good for me to catch up on what the show's been doing. Uncle Rodney and his old mobile. Oh my God. Knowing that it's all fake is so great. Yeah, I think with a one hitter in his brain just going. And Uncle Rodney will drive him in his old mobile. He's going to take. Uncle Rodney is going to start taking him to his lessons.

[Erica]

Yeah, exactly. Totally believable.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Completely. It's great. And listen, I wasn't. I wasn't there for it, but we're ringing the bell on this one. No question. This is a bell. Ring it and good. Good for you. I'm glad. What do you now, out of curiosity, your son's karate. Where is it going now? Are we just done in General.

[Erica]

Yes. And he started wrestling this past week, and he's having a good time with it.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Okay, well, when that situation becomes too intense, you. You know where to call and we'll help you back. Or worst case scenario, you now just have that prototype email. You just replace the master's name with coach. And I think the Oldsmobile and Rodney still plays in that direction as well. So you've got a good. You've got a good, like, standard letter now.

[Erica]

Yeah. It's applicable to many scenarios, so breakups, financial issues.

[Gareth Reynolds]

You could send that to anybody.

[Erica]

Yeah. Honestly, can't thank you enough. Well, not you, but, you know, we don't need that.

[Gareth Reynolds]

We don't need that. You don't need that. That's not. I was. I'm always here. Even when I'm not here. There's only one set of footprints. Prince in spirit. Well, thank you, Erica. Very happy for you. Thanks for calling the show. Thanks for letting us help. And I'm ringing the bell whether the other guys are here or not.

[Erica]

All right, thank you guys again. Appreciate it.

[Arden Marine]

Thank you.

[Gareth Reynolds]

All right, tell Rodney hi from the show.

[Hope]

Will do.

[Erica]

Bye.

[Steve Berg]

We're Here to Help is hosted by.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Jake Johnson and Gareth Reynolds.

[Arden Marine]

The show is produced and edited by Kevin Bart, and the associate producer and editor is AJ McKeon.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Our social media director is Caitlin Tan Wakio, and our video editor is John DeBruin.

[Steve Berg]

The theme song is made by Oliver Raleigh, and you can check out his [e-mail] that's Oliver R A L L I dot com.

[Gareth Reynolds]

The album artwork is by James Fosdike. You can find him on Instagram @jamesfosdike Dash and if you'd like to see me do Stand up on the road, go to garethreynolds.com Additional artwork by Paddy Holland.

[Arden Marine]

You can find him on Instagram @pady holland2004. And if you'd like early access to episodes, subscribe to our [e-mail] heretohelpod.

[Steve Berg]

And if you'd like to be on the show, email us your question@ HelpfulPodmail.com.

[Gareth Reynolds]

All of the advice given on We're Here to Help is for entertainment purposes only, and all listeners should be adults and make their own decisions.