Podcast Summary:

We're Here to Help
Episode 199: We're Here to Chat Vol. 3: Good Goofy Fun (with Steve Berg and Eric Edelstein)
Date: August 20, 2025

Overview

In this rollicking, conversational episode, hosts Jake Johnson and Gareth Reynolds invite long-time friends and comedic heavy-hitters Steve Berg and Eric Edelstein for a laid-back, laughter-filled installment of “We're Here to Chat.” The group regale each other with personal stories, good-natured ribbing, and run psychological investigations into everything from “pocket cheese” habits to bizarre estate-sale trophies—all of it peppered with their signature blend of sincerity and goofiness. A live call-in from listener Liz launches a hilarious and ultimately heartwarming dig into online catfishing—a scheme targeting Steve’s own photos. The episode is a free-wheeling hang between friends, exploring the little oddities of life, friendship, and the spirit of helping out, even when no one’s exactly sure how.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Opening Antics & “Pocket Cheese” Confession

[00:41–07:39]

• Eric Edelstein is playfully grilled about his long-term habit of carrying vegan cheese in his pocket to restaurants.
  • Steve Berg: “He’s been doing it for a...decade. It’s before he was a vegan.” (02:05)
  • The running joke: “pocket warmth” helps melt the cheese, which Eric claims improves the meal (“That little bit of pocket warmth only helps the situation...” – 03:13).
  • Friends alternately tease and admire his shamelessness, debating if pocket cheese is a quirky lifehack or a social line-crosser.

Goofy Restaurant Stories & Sleight of Hand

[03:40–08:07]

• Stories about Eric practicing “cheese sleight of hand,” attempting to sneak vegan cheese into meals without friends noticing.
• Steve Berg: “You’re the David Copperfield of your generation.” (04:17)

Friends Roasting Friends: Bone Broth, Side-Taking, and “Big Dad” Energy

[08:14–11:12]

• Steve tells a story about deftly switching opinions based on who he’s with (pleasant to Jake’s wife, honest to Jake).
  • Jake Johnson: “He goes, I meant it when I was talking to her, and I meant it when I was talking to you.” (09:05)
• Jake and Gareth joke how fast Steve and Eric can flip allegiances in friend arguments.

Special Segment: Catfished With Steve’s Face

[12:20–19:21]

• Liz (Caller) shares her story about finding a Bumble dating profile in Chicago using Steve Berg’s photos—by someone named “Tim.”
  • They review the fake dating profile and joke about how “Tim” cropped in famous people (Jack Black) as low-key bragging.
  • Steve Berg: “This is one of the most flattering things I ever...” (13:59)
• The friends (and Liz) brainstorm elaborate “reverse catfishing” plots to expose the faux-Steve.
• Jake Johnson: “What would be incredible is we match him, we get him, we lure him...and we fly Berg out to this area and Berg goes to meet him.” (19:00)

Meta Moments: Glamour Shots Challenge

[26:26–34:39]

• The group plans to finally collect on an old bet: Steve must take “unironic” glamour shots directed by each host.
  • Heated, hilarious debate on themes—ranging from “dusty cowboy” to “boy band member with glasses.”
  • Jake Johnson: “The audience will vote on not what’s funnier—what’s sexier.” (31:27)
• The “sexy shoot” is to be organized via an Omaha photographer, with friend-directors on Zoom calling the shots.

Eric’s Dick Van Dyke Museum Charity Ticket Fiasco

[35:02–44:26]

• Eric shares his email dispute seeking a refund after paying $300 for a Dick Van Dyke charity show where Van Dyke (aged 99) couldn’t perform.
  • Eric Edelstein: “We left halfway through when it turned into Stu interviewing audience members. There was a huge line of upset people...” (39:02)
• The group laughs at the escalation of Eric’s polite but increasingly desperate emails, including a fib about flying in a friend.
• The saga continues with Eric vowing to return for a possible reschedule and Jake signing on to document the next attempt.

Paranormal Sleepover Vows & Haunted Hotel Adventures

[48:20–49:49]

• Steve proposes an overnight paranormal investigation with the group.
  • Steve Berg: “I would love to…when I’m out in California next time, go do a paranormal investigation and overnight with you guys.” (48:37)
• Jake and Eric joke about their differing tolerances for ghost scares; Eric confesses “I’m very scared of that stuff,” but agrees to stay in the infamous room where Gram Parsons died.

The Art of the Estate Sale: Epic Finds and Superstitions

[51:22–57:38]

• Eric reveals his love for bizarre estate-sale finds, listing off Mannix’s (actor Mike Connors) trench coat, Bill Walton’s tie-dye, Neil Young’s train, and—most bizarrely—a sand art piece from Burt Reynolds’ estate which may come with a “curse.”
  • Steve Berg: “Man, I’d like to put my EMF reader all over that thing.” (55:53)
• Eric also won a certificate for the adoption of “Burt Reynolds, the turtle,” which (he later discovers) vanished somewhere in the Atlantic.

Wrap-Up: Reflections on Mistakes, Living Weird, and Friendship

[60:50–64:12]

• The crew reflects on the episode’s running gags and resolves to follow-up on the glamour shots, Dick Van Dyke concert, and the catfish investigation.
• Gareth openly admires Eric’s endless appetite for life’s adventures:
  • Gareth Reynolds: “The adventures you'll take yourself on ... That’s how to live, Eric.” (62:10)
• Jake tempers it with mock-seriousness:
  • Jake Johnson: “You should not spend $400 on a certificate to adopt a turtle.” (62:40)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Pocket Cheese:

  • Eric: “Sometimes I can make eye contact with somebody...and they won’t even notice I’m dropping all this cheese in...” (03:22)
  • Steve: “Everyone notices. I mean, you’re taking... It’s a crap single, mind you.” (03:38)

• On Getting Catfished (Steve’s Photos):

  • Liz: “The photos looked a little bit familiar and I realized he was catfishing using Steve Berg’s photos.” (12:29)
  • Steve: “This is insanely flattering.” (14:02)

• On Catfish Justice:

  • Jake: “If this turns into a Catfish runner, Liz, if your friends get in it, we could have you all back on...Maybe we can bust this guy.” (18:49)

• On Unconventional Shopping:

  • Eric: “I got his trench coat. Japanese rainwear. I got some loafers. It was (from Mannix’s estate sale) … When I travel with Mannix’s duffel bag, do you know how good I feel?” (52:27)
  • Eric: “I won a certificate for adoption of a turtle named Burt Reynolds.” (55:59)

• On Friendship:

  • Gareth: “It seems to be endless with the things...the adventures you’ll take yourself on. And that’s how to live, Eric.” (62:28)

Timeline of Key Moments

• 00:41: Show kicks off, immediate riffing on “pocket cheese.”
• 03:40: Eric admits sneaking cheese into meals undetected.
• 08:14: Steve’s adaptable allegiances in friend group disputes; being two-faced in the funniest way.
• 12:20: Caller Liz shares the Steve Berg catfish saga; group begins plotting a response.
• 17:47: Plans for reverse catfish and “PI Investigation.”
• 26:26: Bet pay-off: Steve must take “sexy glamour shots,” hosts to direct competing shoots.
• 35:02: Eric details the Dick Van Dyke refundable ticket disaster with escalating emails.
• 48:20: Paranormal investigation proposal; Eric hesitantly agrees.
• 51:22: Estate sale trophies and superstitions: Mannix’s coat, Burt Reynolds sand art, and more.
• 55:59: The saga of Burt Reynolds the turtle adoption.
• 60:50: Episode recap; commitments to next steps, mutual admiration and roast.

Takeaways & Future Challenges

• Steve’s photos are being used maliciously yet flatteringly in the dating wilds; the podcast team will pursue catfish justice.
• Glamour shots are officially back, with a three-way directorial battle in the works—expect vote-based judging on sexiness, not irony.
• The Dick Van Dyke refund saga set a new gold standard for customer service perseverance and comedic escalation.
• Eric’s estate-sale addiction and turtle philanthropy make for perfect “weird friend” lore—equal parts inspiration and warning.
• The show’s heart is in celebrating oddball details, mutual ribbing, and turning everyday embarrassments into group adventure.

Signature Tone

Goofy, self-aware, and surprisingly sincere—like a late-night conversation among old friends who never tire of pointing out, and celebrating, each other’s quirks. The genuine affection beneath the good-natured teasing shines, even as the hosts (and guests) keep each other honest in life’s oddities.