Podcast Summary: We're Here to Help
Episode: 197: Dog Communication & Don't Cry For Me, Season Tickets (with Judd Apatow)
Release Date: August 13, 2025
Hosts: Jake Johnson & Gareth Reynolds
Guest: Judd Apatow
Knowledge Cutoff: October 2023

Introduction

In Episode 197 of We're Here to Help, hosts Jake Johnson and Gareth Reynolds welcome renowned filmmaker and comedian Judd Apatow as their special guest. The episode delves into two personal dilemmas brought forth by callers: Andy grappling with his father's peculiar habit of communicating solely through their dog, and Aaron struggling to fairly split Detroit Lions season tickets following a breakup. Judd Apatow's participation adds a unique blend of humor and insightful advice, staying true to the show's ethos of offering well-meaning, albeit unconventional, guidance.

Guest Introduction: Judd Apatow

[00:24]
Gareth Reynolds opens the episode by introducing Judd Apatow, expressing their admiration for his work in New Girl and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Judd shares his passion for helping others, emphasizing that’s why he’s part of the show:

Judd Apatow: "You help people and that's important to me because that's the only reason why I'm in this, is to help people."
[00:30]

He also discusses his latest project, a book titled Comedy Nerd, and talks about his involvement in re-releasing his classic films Trainwreck and The 40-Year-Old Virgin in theaters to celebrate their anniversaries.

Call 1: Andy's Dog Communication Issue

Caller Details:

• Name: Andy
• Location: Nashville area
• Age: 25
• Issue: Andy's father has developed a habit of communicating exclusively through their dog, Bella, making interactions awkward and indirect.

[16:21] Andy's Dilemma

Andy explains his predicament:

Andy: "So my dad does this one thing that I need some help on. So he likes to talk to the dog. He only interacts with us through the dog."
[17:02]

He describes scenarios where his father asks questions to Bella instead of directly addressing Andy, leaving Andy unsure of how to respond appropriately.

[17:23]
Jake and Gareth probe deeper into Andy's relationship with his parents and the specific behaviors of his father, considering whether there might be underlying mental health issues or a communication barrier.

[19:54] Judd Apatow's Initial Suggestion

Judd steps in with a humorous yet thought-provoking idea:

Judd Apatow: "What if you got a bunny and brought the bunny in and you talk through your bunny while he talked to his dog?"
[19:55]

[21:08]
The discussion evolves into practical pitches:

• Hiding the Dog: Temporarily place Bella in a closet during interactions.
• Introducing a Second Pet: Bring in another animal (like a fish or a bunny) as a means to shift the communication dynamic.
• Role-Playing: Engage in a "dog voice" to mirror the father's behavior, demonstrating how it feels to communicate through an animal.
• United Front: Involve Andy's husband in addressing the issue to present a coordinated approach.

[24:14] Judd Apatow's Personal Anecdote

Judd shares his own experiences with pets during COVID-19, illustrating how close relationships with animals can sometimes lead to unusual behaviors:

Judd Apatow: "We got a cat during COVID because we wanted something to cheer us up... sometimes they'll all sit on our cutting board... We just love the cats, and we're like, that can't hurt us."
[24:13]

[25:03] Formulating a Plan

Gareth and Natalie guide Andy to implement a structured approach:

1. Use a Second Animal: Andy decides to introduce a goldfish to divert the father's focus.
2. Consistent Communication Strategy: Andy commits to talking to his father using the "dog voice" when Bella isn't present.
3. Follow-up with Husband: Involve his husband to discuss the effectiveness of this strategy and potentially request the father to reduce reliance on communicating through the dog.

Notable Quote:

Jake Johnson: "I like the goldfish idea. I can do that."
[25:25]

Conclusion for Andy's Call:

Andy agrees to the proposed solutions, particularly the introduction of a goldfish and altering his communication style to address his father's behavior. The hosts encourage him to monitor the situation and follow up with them on the progress.

Call 2: Aaron's Season Tickets Conflict

Caller Details:

• Name: Aaron
• Location: Detroit
• Age: 33
• Issue: Aaron and his ex-partner, Sophie, purchased Detroit Lions season tickets together before their breakup. They now face the challenge of fairly deciding who retains the tickets.

[36:05] Aaron's Dilemma

Aaron outlines the conflict:

Aaron: "We've been together for four years... We finally got season tickets this year and about a month ago, we broke up... we're not sure how to decide who gets the tickets in a fair way."
[37:00]

He mentions that initial suggestions like splitting the games or conducting a coin flip were rejected by Sophie, who is competitive and prefers a judged competition.

[40:24]
Judd Apatow proposes a creative solution: a singing competition where both parties perform a piece from "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina," with Judd and Gareth acting as judges.

[43:58] Gareth's Proposal and Sing-Off Setup

Gareth lays out the rules and stakes:

Gareth Reynolds: "Don't cry for me, Argentina... you're in a whole new era with this relationship... we have to get to the bottom of this one way or the other."
[56:54]

[55:26]
The sing-off begins with Gareth performing first, followed by Aaron. Judd and Gareth evaluate their performances humorously, highlighting Aaron's lack of familiarity with the song and Gareth's unexpected talent.

[66:50] Outcome and Reflection

Despite the playful competition, Aaron doesn't secure the tickets through the sing-off. However, the hosts suggest alternative strategies, such as offering Sophie a compensatory gift aligned with her interests (e.g., woodworking supplies) to buy out her share of the tickets.

Notable Quote:

Gareth Reynolds: "This is a good zone, Andy."
[35:13] (Though pertaining to Andy, it reflects the hosts' supportive nature across calls.)

Judd Apatow's Insights and Humor

Throughout both calls, Judd Apatow interjects with his trademark humor and practical advice. He balances the light-hearted atmosphere with genuine attempts to resolve the callers' issues:

• On Andy's Situation:

  Judd Apatow: "People get too close to their animals... you lose all sense of how you're supposed to behave."
  [24:14]

• On Aaron's Conflict:

  Judd Apatow: "That's putting me in advantage... I have no idea how Garrett sings, so that's more interesting. I'm gonna crush it."
  [60:07]

Judd's participation elevates the episode, making the advice segments more engaging and relatable.

Wrap-Up and Conclusions

As the episode progresses towards the end, Jake, Gareth, and Judd reflect on the challenges presented by the callers. They acknowledge the complexity of interpersonal relationships and the nuanced ways individuals seek to connect or distance themselves.

[66:58]
Gareth and Judd encourage both Andy and Aaron to pursue the suggested strategies, emphasizing the importance of honest communication and creative problem-solving in resolving personal conflicts.

[68:37]
The episode concludes with a reminder from Jake and Gareth about how listeners can submit their questions and access video episodes via their Patreon. Judd Apatow extends his appreciation, reinforcing the collaborative and supportive spirit of the show.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Judd Apatow on Helping Others:

  "You help people and that's important to me because that's the only reason why I'm in this, is to help people."
  [00:30]

• Andy on His Father's Behavior:

  "He only interacts with us through the dog."
  [17:02]

• Judd Apatow's Suggestion for Andy:

  "What if you got a bunny and brought the bunny in and you talk through your bunny while he talked to his dog?"
  [19:55]

• Aaron on Season Ticket Conflict:

  "We've been together for four years... We sold our house, bought another... now we're not sure how to decide who gets the tickets."
  [37:00]

• Gareth's Sing-Off Challenge:

  "Don't cry for me, Argentina... let's see who can perform it better."
  [60:00]

• Judd on Aaron's Performance:

  "She has some upspeak. She's doing some upspeak on Evita... the truth is I never left you."
  [61:21]

Final Thoughts

Episode 197 of We're Here to Help masterfully blends humor, personal anecdotes, and heartfelt advice to tackle unique and relatable issues. With Judd Apatow's guest appearance, the show not only entertains but also provides practical, albeit unconventional, solutions to its listeners. Whether it's bridging communication gaps within families or navigating the complexities of post-breakup agreements, Jake, Gareth, and Judd exemplify the show's commitment to being the friendly local bartender offering the best advice they've got.