Podcast Summary: "We're Here to Help" - Episode 170: Occasional Blue Jays & Butt Grazing

Release Date: May 12, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 170 of "We're Here to Help," hosts Jake Johnson and Gareth Reynolds delve into two unique listener calls, offering their characteristic blend of humor and heartfelt advice. This episode, titled "Occasional Blue Jays & Butt Grazing," addresses the challenges of maintaining friendships as lives change and the practical concerns of sharing living spaces.

First Listener Call: Michelle from Texas – Dealing with the Perpetual Party Animal

[15:00] Michelle's Dilemma

Michelle, a 32-year-old from Dallas, reaches out seeking advice on managing her friend Blue Jay, who insists on maintaining a party-centric lifestyle despite the group's evolving responsibilities and desire for a more settled life. Her main concern is how to convey to Blue Jay that it's okay to slow down without making the group seem old or boring.

Key Points:

• Friendship Dynamics: Michelle highlights the tension between wanting to continue socializing actively and recognizing that not everyone in the group shares the same energy levels or interests anymore.

• Blue Jay's Influence: Blue Jay not only wants to keep partying but also attempts to impose this lifestyle on the entire friend group, leading to frequent conflicts about social plans.

Gareth's Insight ([17:50]):

"This feels like the reverse opposite of a call that should be coming into our show. Our show should be how do I convince my friends to keep partying."

Advice Offered:

• Day Drinking as a Compromise ([24:21]): Jake and Gareth suggest incorporating day drinking into social gatherings. By starting earlier in the day, the group can extend their social time without the late-night pressures that clash with their new lifestyles.

• Setting Boundaries ([28:32]): They recommend setting clear boundaries and communicating openly with Blue Jay about the group's needs, emphasizing that slowing down doesn't equate to losing the friendship.

Notable Quote ([25:05]):

Gareth Reynolds: "The whole thing. The transition in 30s to 40s out of 20s is it really does start. The hard liquor kind of filters itself out. But the day drinking starts to take on a charm because it still falls in line with a regular human situation."

Second Listener Call: Robert from Michigan – The Couch Conundrum

[34:09] Robert's Furniture Fiasco

Robert, also known as Winnie, a 33-year-old from Michigan, shares his frustration about his roommate consistently sitting in the same spot on his newly purchased high-quality couch. Concerned about uneven wear and the potential for the couch to degrade prematurely, Robert seeks advice on how to address the issue without causing tension.

Key Points:

• Couch Maintenance: Robert emphasizes the importance of preserving his investment by preventing excessive wear in one area.

• Roommate Relations: He worries that asking his roommate to change seating habits might strain their living arrangement.

Gareth's Observation ([37:00]):

Gareth Reynolds: "If someone said to me, hey, I'm worried that you're over sitting in one spot of the couch, I'd be like, what is your problem?"

Advice Offered:

• Humorous Solutions ([40:27]): Jake and Gareth propose creative and humorous strategies to encourage his roommate to diversify their seating. Suggestions include introducing a stuffed animal as a playful reminder to change spots or creating an "ass chart" to track and incentivize couch rotation.

• Practical Communication ([44:47]): They advise Robert to communicate his concerns casually, possibly by sharing the humorous suggestions with his roommate to ease the conversation.

Notable Quote ([43:33]):

Gareth Reynolds: "We could almost, if we wanted to. I think that's, I think that's a good angle. I think that's a good pitch."

Follow-Up Call: Robert Revisits Episode 80 – The Circumcision Conundrum

[60:11] Revisiting Past Advice

In a follow-up to a previous episode (Episode 80), Robert shares an ongoing personal issue involving his twin brother's misunderstanding about circumcision. Initially confused by conflicting information, Robert seeks closure and clarity on the matter.

Key Points:

• Miscommunication: Robert recounts a conversation where his family mistakenly believes only one twin was circumcised, leading to misconceptions and embarrassment.

• Resolution Process: Following the hosts' advice, Robert attempted various humorous and unconventional methods to confirm his brother's circumcision status, ultimately leading to a resolution where his brother acknowledged the misunderstanding.

Notable Quote ([73:34]):

Gareth Reynolds: "If you're gonna make it. Okay, gotcha. Thank you. Thank you. Go ahead."

Advice Revisited:

• Humorous Persistence ([70:03]): The hosts encourage maintaining a lighthearted approach while addressing sensitive topics, reinforcing the importance of clear communication.

• Confirmation and Closure ([75:17]): They emphasize the necessity of factual verification to prevent future misunderstandings, advising Robert to seek direct answers to ensure peace of mind.

Hosts' Banter and Additional Insights

Throughout the episode, Jake and Gareth intersperse their advice with playful banter, showcasing their long-standing friendship and comedic chemistry. Topics range from aging gracefully and maintaining personal health to humorous takes on everyday roommate issues. Their light-hearted approach makes complex and sometimes sensitive issues more approachable for listeners.

Notable Banter:

• On Aging and Plastic Surgery ([03:00]):

  Jake Johnson: "Actors don't age well... I can't be 65 with 42 necklaces."

• On Friendship and Health ([09:19]):

  Gareth Reynolds: "We're guys who care about health. We're guys who try. We pretend we don't, but we try."

Conclusion

Episode 170 of "We're Here to Help" effectively combines relatable life challenges with the hosts' signature humor and empathy. Whether navigating the complexities of changing friendships or sharing living spaces, Jake and Gareth provide thoughtful, entertaining advice that resonates with their audience. Their ability to address both serious and trivial issues with equal flair makes this episode a standout addition to their 15-year friendship-based podcast journey.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Gareth Reynolds ([17:50]):

  "This feels like the reverse opposite of a call that should be coming into our show. Our show should be how do I convince my friends to keep partying."

• Gareth Reynolds ([25:05]):

  "The whole thing. The transition in 30s to 40s out of 20s is it really does start. The hard liquor kind of filters itself out. But the day drinking starts to take on a charm because it still falls in line with a regular human situation."

• Gareth Reynolds ([37:00]):

  "If someone said to me, hey, I'm worried that you're over sitting in one spot of the couch, I'd be like, what is your problem?"

• Gareth Reynolds ([43:33]):

  "We could almost, if we wanted to. I think that's, I think that's a good angle. I think that's a good pitch."

• Gareth Reynolds ([73:34]):

  "If you're gonna make it. Okay, gotcha. Thank you. Thank you. Go ahead."

For more episodes and to participate, listeners are encouraged to email their questions to helpfulpod@gmail.com.