Podcast Summary: We're Here to Help

Episode 198: Masterclass & Water Wubbie
Date: August 18, 2025
Hosts: Jake Johnson, Gareth Reynolds
Guests/Callers: Danny J (Jake’s brother), Paige (repeat caller/co-host for part of the show), Nikki, Michael, Steve Berg, Eric

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode dives into classic We're Here to Help territory: a blend of comedic riffing, practical-ish advice, and “bits” between genuinely attempting to help listeners with everyday dilemmas. Jake and Gareth are joined at points by Jake’s brother Danny, regular caller Paige (who “graduates” to co-host), and others, as they field calls about poker strategy, awkward family gifts, and the line between convenience and emotional support objects.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Riff: The Cameo Bit (01:19–12:02)

• Jake and Gareth discuss the cultural weirdness of Cameo:
  • They poke fun at celebrities (e.g. Ray Lewis, Brett Favre) doing paid shout-outs, questioning motives and admitting the concept is “madness” to them as grown adults.
  • This segues into bit ideas about paying celebrities to string together elaborate show intros, possibly using podcast funds to create a “Cameo Challenge” between Jake and Gareth.
  • Memorable Quote:
    • Jake: “The idea of being able to write to an actor or athlete and have them say stuff... it’s madness.” (02:45)
    • Gareth on Ray Lewis: "But the idea that Ray Lewis, because they have to approve it...he saw this problem in his inbox and was like, ‘Oh yeah.’...150, approve, approve, approve..." (05:53)
• The Cameo Intro Game (09:06–12:02):
  • They riff on how to gamify getting celebrities to do wild bits as show intros, assigning budgets, writing scripts, getting listeners to vote, and so on.

2. Caller 1: Nikki Needs Poker Advice (16:48–35:38)

Background

• Nikki, a 26-year-old Brooklynite, plays high-stakes poker with her boyfriend's friends.
• She started strong but now plays too conservatively and avoids risk, feeling outgunned by “big personalities” and chaos agents at the table. She wants to be more profitable but is scared to bluff.

Advice & Banter

• Jake’s Masterclass:
  • Jake, a seasoned poker player, explains you’re playing people, not just cards (“You’re not necessarily playing the cards that you’re getting. You’re playing the table.” 23:59).
  • Learn the table—avoid tangling with better players, take chips from ATMs (weaker players).
  • “Scared money doesn’t make money.” (20:45)
  • recommends an early bold bluff to change the table’s perception—show the bluff whether you win or not.
• Gareth’s Left Field Pitch:
  • Suggests Nikki adopt theatrical poker-wear (sunglasses, hats, fake cigar) for confidence and table presence – jokes taken as half-joke/half-serious.
• Other Playful Strategy Ideas:
  • “Fake drunk” at the table to appear loose, then play tight.
  • Play a “chaotic” early bluff, show her cards to recalibrate her image.
  • Paige chimes in: “You have to show. And then even if someone, like—even if I don't see it through... …flip over your cards and go like this: I got caught. Masterclass.” (34:01)
  • Danny J: “Commit the entire night next time. Accept you’re going to lose $100. Have fun. You’re wild, you’re bluffing, you’re sloppy, and then next time...you act the same way Jake suggested, but you’re actually tight.” (31:38)

Notable Quotes

• “You're what we call an ABC player. So ABC players, you know exactly what they’re going to do.” – Jake (33:13)
• “I want you to bluff on one of the early hands. And if somebody calls you, I want you to fold, but show the bluff...and then don't bluff again.” – Jake (28:27)

3. Caller 2: Paige’s Legendary Follow-Up – The Mannequin & Dick Slippers (35:49–45:30)

Story Recap

• Paige previously called for help dealing with bizarre gifts from her mother-in-law (a mannequin and “dick slippers”).
• Recommended “return” the mannequin by claiming a fake designer, Sweet Jessie, wanted to buy it.

Execution & Evolution

• Paige invents a full fiction, stages a photo of the mannequin in front of a random closed metaphysical shop (“Karma and Love”) as “proof.”
• Nails the cover story to her mother-in-law’s satisfaction.
• Hosts praise Paige: for embracing, running, and escalating the podcast’s absurdist advice to a new level.

Quotes & Moments

• Gareth: “You changed what a follow-up is... Now it’s did it work, and what did you do?” (45:11)
• Jake: “The new term is we need you to pull a Paige.” (44:47)
• “I made it like care package style...sleep masks, a note, penis-shaped pasta to go in there too. So he’s got a whole little themed care package.” – Paige (43:10)

4. Caller 3: Michael and the ‘Water Wubbie’ (49:10–73:56)

Issue

• Michael’s family accuses him of being “emotionally dependent” on his large water bottle (aka “water wubbie”), taking it everywhere (restaurants, bars, friends’ houses).
• Wants objective takes: is this practical, or a crutch?

Discussion

• Hosts riff:
  • Stickers on bottles vs. plain; at what age do water bottles signal “immaturity”?
    • “You can have a bunch of Mammoth, California [stickers]...when you’re 24. When you’re 47...I don’t care.” (52:28)
  • Paige admits she also has an emotional support water bottle.
  • Jake and Gareth suggest leaning into it:
    • “Maybe we put a sticker on it that says, ‘emotional support water bottle’.” (54:10)
    • Gareth proposes taking it “full bit” with googly eyes, hat, personalized name (“Wobby Rob”).
  • Advice: Escalate the bit—maybe make a grand, comedic gesture to the family (email/speech/ceremony), or just quietly embrace it—who cares?

Memorable Moment: Live Family Bit

• Michael, on air, announces to his family he’s embracing his “water wubbie”—he’ll label it “emotional support water bottle”—to group eye rolls and acceptance.
• Hosts, Paige, Steve Berg, and Eric all weigh in post-announcement, some riffing about emotional support cheese (“vegan cheese”).
• Jake: “You want to be a 50-year-old man that dresses like a 20-year-old. Who cares?...It’s crazy to do it, but who cares? Leave them alone.” (60:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Scared money don’t make money.” – Jake Johnson (20:45)
• Paige’s escalation:
  “When our show works the best, it’s when you guys pull a Paige. That is taking a goofy pitch and making it the next level.” – Jake (38:18)
• Live ‘Water Wubbie’ Bit:
  • Michael to family: “Family, I have an announcement to make. I know you’ve had concerns...I’m leaning full in. I’m gonna print out a little sticker that says emotional support water bottle...we’ll be able to find the compromise here.” (72:55)
  • Family (background): “I guess so...at least it’s honest.”
• Hosts encourage a healthy disregard for societal judgment:
  • “At the end of the day, who gives a? You want to have water around you? I don’t think that’s crazy.” – Gareth Reynolds (60:05)
  • “The new term is we need you to pull a Paige.” (44:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:19–12:02 — Cameo Riffing and Show Intro Game
• 16:48–35:38 — Nikki’s Poker Dilemma / Masterclass Advice
• 35:49–45:30 — Paige’s Mannequin Update and “Pulling a Paige”
• 49:10–73:56 — Michael, the Water Wubbie, and his Family’s Intervention

Tone & Style

• Friendly, irreverent, and tangential: The tone is breezy and filled with comedic side trails, running bits, playful insults, and affectionate ribbing.
• Advice is a mix of genuine strategy and comedic escalation: Sometimes the "advice" is entirely serious, sometimes an excuse for a bit (like the water bottle sticker).
• Emphasizes caller participation and creative problem-solving: Callers are celebrated for their inventiveness; listeners are encouraged to take the show’s silly advice and run with it.

Conclusion

• This episode epitomizes We're Here to Help: infectious camaraderie, half-useful life hacks, meta commentary on podcasting and advice itself, all delivered in a warm, anarchic spirit.
• Listener Takeaway: When in doubt, “pull a Paige”—embrace the bit, escalate the (harmless) absurdity, and have fun solving your own problems, with or without a celebrity cameo.