202: The Friendship Game Casting Special: I Have a Connection

Summary

We're Here to Help – Episode 202: The Friendship Game Casting Special: I Have a Connection

Podcast: We're Here to Help
Hosts: Steve Berg (guest-hosting), Rob ("Wobby")
Date: August 29, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode serves as a casting special for "The Friendship Game"—a new installment where Steve Berg and Rob interview six potential contestants who are seeking friendship. The hosts ask a series of quirky, revealing, and often hilarious compatibility questions to each caller. Ultimately, listeners are invited to vote for their favorite, helping decide who the show should set up for the next round of the Friendship Game.

The tone is friendly, warm, and full of banter, but also dives into questions of adult loneliness, making friends in new cities, and the sometimes offbeat qualities people look for (or tolerate!) in a new friend.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting Up the Friendship Game (01:48–10:22)

• Hosts Steve and Rob introduce the episode with energy, discussing the goal: interviewing six contestants for the Friendship Game, getting to know them deeply, and ultimately letting listeners vote.
• Hosts test their own questions on each other ("Are you a patron of the arts? Which concert did you last see?" "Weirdest hobby?" etc.), revealing tidbits about their own personalities—Steve loves paranormal conventions and ghost hunting; Rob is a dedicated concert-goer and plays recreational softball.
• Discussion of friendship qualities: Go-with-the-flow vs. set agenda, covering up for crimes, bailing friends out of jail—these set the tone for the types of questions asked throughout the episode.

Notable Quote

• Steve: "I've bailed multiple friends out of jail. I think that's pretty good... One time flew across the country and helped someone get into rehab, and then they escaped three days later..." (07:10)

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2. Contestant Interviews

A. Sarah from Philadelphia (10:34–15:37)

• Music tastes: Descendants, Offspring, Alkaline Trio, Goldfinger, Real Big Fish (skate-punk themed).
• Hobbies: Adult learning to skateboard, curling (the ice sport), and learning American Sign Language.
• Personality: Looking for a skateboarding friend, open-minded, enjoys trying new things even if she fails ("my idea of adventure is trying something open minded and open hearted...").
• Memorable moment:
  • Sarah: "I was at the skate park the other day… that's why I actually put in for the show, is that I was looking for a friend to skateboard with." (12:29)

B. Andy from Holyoke, MA (16:08–22:22)

• Music tastes: Velvet Underground, Cardigans, Garbage, Savage Garden, Bush. (Curated for a character in a novel set in the '90s.)
• Hobbies: Walking in the woods looking for small things (frogs, mushrooms), reading "weird girl literary fiction".
• Friendship wish list: Wants a friend to share workplace gossip, walk together, and dogs/cats to pet.
• Memorable meal: "I’d make them a stew. I kind of miss the fall, so I make it." (21:35)
• Personality: Quirky, introspective, not a fan of calling the cops (“probably most of it. I kind of have a rule that I don’t call the cops for anything.” 20:22)

C. Miriam from Wheaton, IL (27:13–33:12)

• Hobbies: Attends improv and comedy shows, wins radio call-in contests (“I figured out how to win prizes really easily… I’ve probably won thousands of dollars of prizes.” 29:43)
• Friendship style: Eager to help (sometimes to a fault), likes giving unsolicited advice but is working on it.
• Views on crime: Not as "ride or die" as her husband, prefers to do the right thing over extreme loyalty.
• Vibe: Down-to-earth, cheerful, and practical.

D. Christina from Boston, 27 (33:27–39:20)

• Backstory: Recently relocated, struggling to make friends in Boston, finds the local social culture less chatty than the West Coast.
• Music tastes: Kaytranada, Kali Uchis, Bad Bunny, The Marías, Floor.
• Quirk: Compulsive pun and dad joke teller—“something takes over me, like I have no control… I hear a pun and I have to say it.” (36:32)
• Signature dish: "I would host lasagna nights back in Arizona, and now I need people to have lasagna nights with in Boston." (38:37)
• Personality: Open-minded, adventurous, self-aware.

E. Matea from Tucson, 25 (39:29–46:33)

• Unique trait: Only one friend (Rachel), wants more women in her circle (and half-jokingly wants to make Rachel jealous).
• Music: Morgan Wallen, Los Lonely Boys, Daniel Caesar, Arctic Monkeys, Miley Cyrus.
• Big reveal: She's a chef, obsessed with butchery (“I like breaking down animals… I like squeezing the blood out of the intestine, so that’s pretty fun.” 42:03)
• Signature dish: Short rib ravioli with mushroom cream sauce.
• Personality: Not go-with-the-flow ("I am the least go with the flow person that has ever existed. I love a set schedule. I am allergic to it." 44:45), but would cover up murder or even cannibalism for a friend—“I would go all the way for my one buddy I got.” (45:11)
• Wild card: Hilarious, honest, and slightly unsettling—in a good way.

F. Sydney from Model, CO, 37 (51:33–59:29)

• Location: True rural isolation; lives on a ranch 35 minutes from the nearest town.
• Small town anecdotes: Frequent sightings of shirtless men riding bikes with boomboxes.
• Paranormal beliefs: Faith-driven, but firmly believes in ghosts and Bigfoot. “My dad and I, whenever I’m home… we are religious in watching shows about Bigfoot because I am just waiting, waiting to see him.” (55:05)
• Fun question: Would choose John Travolta (over Madonna) for a cross-country road trip; prefers mozzarella sticks with buffalo ranch over a lifetime of free soft serve.
• Personality: Charming, self-aware, isolated but positive outlook, open about her gluten-free needs.
• Appeal: Earnest, in need of connection ("I live here in the middle of nowhere on my ranch and mainly talk to my dog and cows, so this is really nice." 59:09)

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3. Judges’ Deliberation (50:02–63:45)

The hosts and producers (Steve, Rob, Jesse) discuss their favorites:

• Rob's pick: Matea—"The chef likes to drain blood. She seems like a wild card and would be fun to play this game." (59:54)
• Steve's pick: Sydney—"I really liked her. She knows who she is... my heart really is going to go with Sydney. She's isolated, talking to cows and dogs and who wants to find Bigfoot—that rings a lot of bells for me." (60:22)
• Jesse’s pick: Andy—"I think Andy kind of grew on me... you seem to really want a buddy." (50:17)

They agree that all contestants are interesting, genuine, and seem authentically invested in making a real friend, not just appearing on a popular podcast.

Notable Quotes

• Rob (on Matea): "But I'm in the spirit of making this show the most interesting, I would like to see that interaction with her interviewing four or five people." (60:22)
• Steve (on Sydney): "You need a friend, not just to have fun with, to go on an adventure with, to be concerned about things, to say, scared to look for Bigfoot... I think friendship is important." (62:48)
• Jesse: "Maybe the question... isn't who would we pick to play the friendship game? It's who would we apply to be friends with?" (62:04)

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Notable and Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Matea's "connection":

  • “I have a connection. I have a connection.” (42:51/43:05)
    (On how she acquires animals to butcher—delivered with an ominous deadpan that delights the hosts.)

• Sydney on Bigfoot:

  • “My dad and I...are religious in watching shows about Bigfoot because I am just waiting, waiting to see him. It’s gonna happen one of these days.” (55:05)

• Sarah’s reason for applying:

  • "I was looking for a friend to skateboard with. Know anybody else personally?" (12:29)

• Andy on crime:

  • "Probably most of it. I kind of have a rule that I don't call the cops for anything." (20:22)

• Miriam’s unique hobby:

  • "I got to know, like, all these different radio shows, and I started, like, calling in to win prizes, and, like, I figured out how to win prizes really easily… I’ve probably won, like, thousands of dollars of prizes." (29:43)

• Hosts reflecting on the process:

  • Steve: "Let me just say everyone needs a cohort to walk through this life. Life is scary. Life is terrifying. Maybe now more so than it has been and to go through life alone is a sad thing. You need a friend..." (62:48)

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------| | 01:48 | Start of the Friendship Game casting setup | | 02:50 | Jesse suggests testing questions on each other | | 10:34 | Interview: Sarah (Philadelphia) | | 16:08 | Interview: Andy (Holyoke, MA) | | 27:13 | Interview: Miriam (Wheaton, IL) | | 33:27 | Interview: Christina (Boston) | | 39:29 | Interview: Matea (Tucson) | | 51:33 | Interview: Sydney (Model, CO) | | 50:02 | Producers and hosts deliberate and share preferences | | 62:04 | Reflections on the purpose of the experiment/friendship |

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Closing Thoughts

The episode is equal parts light-hearted, heartfelt, and riotously funny. Contestants bring their honest (and often quirky) selves. The hosts are empathetic, joking, and deeply invested in the project of making adult friends, while also send up the sometimes outlandish social obstacles adult friendship can entail. The episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in modern friendships, vulnerability, and finding connection in unexpected places.

Vote for your favorite contestant using the link in the show notes!

Transcript

[Steve Berg]

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[Rob (Wobby)]

All right. All right. So this is the first casting episode of the Friendship Game and we're meeting for the first time to do this. So. Hi, Steve, I'm.

[Steve Berg]

What's up? What's up, Wobby wobble?

[Rob (Wobby)]

Not much.

[Steve Berg]

I'm gonna call you Rob. That's really hard for me to do with my lisp. You know, it's already hard enough to talk.

[Rob (Wobby)]

I. Yeah, I think a grown man calling me that is weird enough.

[Steve Berg]

It's challenging for me to come. Yeah, I can't, you know, I'd have to really focus.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right, so how much do you know about what we're doing here?

[Steve Berg]

I know the kind of basics, you know, the, the broad strokes and that is. We're going to be interviewing six potentials and just kind of like getting a lay of the land, like where they sit on, like what they want In a friend, what they like in a friend, what they're looking for, what are their loves, their fears, their interests. Stuff like that. Yeah.

[Rob (Wobby)]

And then I think listeners are gonna vote on who we should play the game with, who they like most.

[Jesse Thurston]

I think that you guys should test your questions on each other and get to know each other a little bit as friends.

[Steve Berg]

I like that. Okay, well, I'll just, I'll. I'll just ask you this.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Let's do it.

[Steve Berg]

Rob, are you a patron of the arts? If so, what brand? Concerts, theater, comedy rodeo exhibitions. Those are just examples. If you have, you know, something specific.

[Rob (Wobby)]

I mean, I'm a. I'm a big concert goer. I go to maybe a concert a week.

[Steve Berg]

That's a lot. I love that.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Yeah. Sometimes more.

[Steve Berg]

Okay, what's the last concert you saw?

[Rob (Wobby)]

Last concert I saw was say anything in New Jersey.

[Steve Berg]

Okay. Are we allowed to do like a little follow up? Yeah, questions like that. Okay.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah.

[Steve Berg]

Okay.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Absolutely. And then before that was Deep Sea Diver in Nashville and Dr. Dog in Denver.

[Steve Berg]

Great. You know, I just got into Deep Sea Diver.

[Rob (Wobby)]

I. It was my first time seeing them and I. I loved them.

[Steve Berg]

They're very, very good. I just listened to, I think their newest album the other day and I'm like, damn, this is great.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Billboard Heart.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah. Yeah. I really enjoy it. It's a good album. Yeah.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right, so then for you, open up your Spotify, tell me your last five artists that you listen to.

[Steve Berg]

Okay. Will do. Okay, let's see here. Ghosted. Okay.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Is that a band?

[Steve Berg]

The band. It's like a weird kind of like psychedelic jazz trio. And I listen to la, which I'm very into them right now. The Cocktoo Twins, the Clean and Pavement.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Pavement. Okay.

[Steve Berg]

Yep.

[Gareth Reynolds]

All right.

[Steve Berg]

All right. Yeah. That's fun. That's fun. Okay. While heavy for a midday meal, where do you stand on pizza lunches?

[Rob (Wobby)]

I. I don't. I love pizza. Pizza is probably my favorite food. Me too. But I try to limit to one pizza per week.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Rob (Wobby)]

So lunch is normally not where I'm gonna splurge and do my pizza.

[Steve Berg]

That was the right answer. By the way.

[Rob (Wobby)]

What's your. What are your weirdest hobbies?

[Steve Berg]

Probably, you know, investigating the paranormal, I would say. Last weekend I was at a paranormal convention. I was up till six in the morning on Sunday night, ghost hunting in an old hotel.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Pretty weird.

[Steve Berg]

Pretty weird. Yeah. Pretty weird. We got a little action too. It's pretty exciting.

[Rob (Wobby)]

How do you, how are you getting action?

[Steve Berg]

Well, I was with five other people and There was one guy there who, like, swears he saw a shadow person, like, pop its head out over, like, this. Like, this dresser in the room. And he screamed, and then he came, and then he actually booked himself another hotel room because he would stay in that one. So I believe that he believes that something happened now, whether it did or not, but I think he definitely was truly, like, genuinely scared. Okay, here's one for you. How do you like to break a sweat? You know, meaning physical activities?

[Rob (Wobby)]

So I like to peloton.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Me too.

[Rob (Wobby)]

I. I try to do that as often as I can. That's stored in our garage right now, so I've not been doing it that much. And I also play recreational softball two to three times a week.

[Steve Berg]

Hell, yeah. That's rad. Oh, Rob, I think we're finding out that we'd be pretty easy friends here, it seems like. This is great. Who's your favorite peloton teacher?

[Rob (Wobby)]

I like Leanne Hainsby.

[Steve Berg]

Okay.

[Rob (Wobby)]

My. She's my writer.

[Steve Berg]

I don't. I know her work.

[Rob (Wobby)]

I mostly am not listening to them at all. I'm just kind of following and watching TV or listening to a podcast while.

[Caller/Guest]

Me.

[Steve Berg]

Me too. The first, like, few months I used it, I had to listen. But then I. Now I have subtitles, and I don't even need those. I'm just looking at the resistance and whatnot.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Yeah, Yeah. I don't particularly love their music taste. Most of the time. It's a little rough, so. Yeah, yeah, Skipping. Skipping that part.

[Steve Berg]

It's a little rough.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right. What's the most you've gone out of your way to help a friend?

[Steve Berg]

I've bailed multiple friends out of jail. I think that's pretty good. I one time flew across the country and helped someone get into rehab, and then they escaped the rehab three days later, so that kind of sucked. But I did, like, you know, I got the family to pay for it and some friends to. To chip in, so I felt like that was pretty good. Even though the rehab didn't work, you know, it did eventually on the third try for my friend. But, like, you know, I felt like that was a pretty good one. Cause I, like, I flew was a very inconvenient time, and I, like, lost a job, but I like, you know, it's one of my best friends, so gotta do it.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Yeah. That's impressive. It's a good friend.

[Steve Berg]

Thanks. Okay. The last one I have is. Do you prefer to have a set agenda, or are you more a go with the flow? Hey, let's see what happens kind of guy.

[Rob (Wobby)]

I am definitely a set agenda type person. I. I was just out of town for a couple weeks, and even when I was by myself, I was in Nashville for a week. And I love Nashville. I made reservations every single night for dinner and was just like, I'll find a friend that'll come with me, right? And, yeah, my Google calendar is pretty full, and I. I stick pretty strictly to it.

[Steve Berg]

That's good, though. That's good. You know what you want. You know what you want to do. That's good. See, I'm oftentimes not, but then I waste a lot of time trying to figure out what the hell I want to do.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right, so what level of crime are you willing to cover up for a friend? Examples. Drugs, drugs, theft, murder.

[Steve Berg]

I mean, definitely I'll cover up drugs. You know, I don't feel like that's, like, the worst crime in the world unless you're, like, selling hard drugs to, like, kids. I mean, like, then I'm turn them in. I mean, I'm a pretty by the book. I believe in rules and laws for the most part. Like, there's some I don't agree with, but for the most part, I feel like we have to operate, you know, with some rules. Otherwise, I don't like anarchy. So I feel like I would cover up for drugs. Like, if, you know, I had a friend who's, like, blowing coke or something like that. I'm like, I'm not gonna turn him in or anything like that, but let's go with drugs. I would never cover up for someone who did anything violent. Like, I would be like, dude, you need help. I'm turning you in. This is what you need. You're dangerous.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Theft, though. Someone steals from, like, a.

[Steve Berg]

No, I don't think I am. I really don't like theft. I think. I think it's. I've never stolen anything in my entire life. And I've been around, you know, when I a kid, other people stealing things. But, like, I don't like it. So it's so dishonest that, like, bothers me now. Petty theft from, like, a big corporate entity, like, you know, HBO or something like that. Like, no, that's not theft to me, even though technically it is. But, like, I cover up for that. But, like, you know, any kind of, like, stealing of, like, material goods from a store or another person, I'm out on that. No, thanks.

[Rob (Wobby)]

But will you turn a friend in if you're. You guys are at Kohl's and he sticks Some socks in his pocket.

[Steve Berg]

No, I'm not gonna turn him now. I'm not going to want to hang with the person a whole lot, so it's going to destroy the friendship fair. Well, Rob, I don't know. I think we're pretty compatible, man. I think we're ready to jump on into some irl. Real per. That didn't really make sense. Jump into some real people, some real callers. What do you think about that?

[Rob (Wobby)]

Let's do it. With. Without further ado.

[Steve Berg]

No. Nailed it.

[Gareth Reynolds]

It's so good to see you. Tell me what it's like to be you.

[Steve Berg]

Hey, how are you doing, friend? What's your name?

[Caller/Guest]

Hi. This is Sarah. I live outside of Philadelphia.

[Steve Berg]

Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. You know, I've never been there. It's one of the. I think it's the only major American city I've never been to.

[Caller/Guest]

Well, that's just. That's a big shame. You should come out.

[Steve Berg]

I should. I should. My wife loves Philadelphia. She went to college there, and I still have not been. Sarah, how are you doing, my friend? Have you met Rob?

[Rob (Wobby)]

Hello, Sarah.

[Caller/Guest]

Hi, Rob. I'm Sarah. I don't think we have met, but it's nice to meet you.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Now, yes, Steve. Steve and I are gonna. Gonna kind of conduct these questionnaires with people to come play the friendship game. So we're gonna. We're gonna alternate asking you some questions.

[Caller/Guest]

Okay. I'm gonna do my best.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, you're gonna do fantastic. Just, you know, answer from your heart. This is not an interrogation. You're not, you know, an NCIS episode where we're interrogating you, necessarily. These are just friendly questions so we can get to know you a little bit better and just see if you're compatible with some other folks out there. Sound good?

[Caller/Guest]

Sounds great.

[Steve Berg]

Lovely. Rob, would you like to go first, friend?

[Rob (Wobby)]

Yeah, let's do it. All right. Sarah, can you open up your Spotify or Apple Music and tell us the last five artists you listen to?

[Caller/Guest]

I have the Descendants.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, yeah.

[Caller/Guest]

The Offspring, Alkaline Trio. Okay. Goldfinger and Real Big Fish. Is that five?

[Steve Berg]

That's five. Somebody's into melodic punk rock, aren't they?

[Rob (Wobby)]

Yeah, I think that tells us quite a bit.

[Caller/Guest]

I was at the skate park the other day, and, I mean, if you're going to skateboard, that's a pretty good track list right there of artists.

[Steve Berg]

Do you skateboard?

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah. That's why I actually put in for the show, is that I was looking for a friend to skateboard with. Know anybody else personally?

[Steve Berg]

That skateboard, that is so sick. I love it. Can you do a kickflip?

[Caller/Guest]

No, I can't. That's why I need friends because I. I don't know how to get better with it by myself.

[Steve Berg]

You'll get there. I have a good feeling about. Yeah, good for you. That's wonderful.

[Caller/Guest]

Thanks. Yeah, I learned how to drop in in June off of coping like. I don't know how familiar you are.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, I'm familiar. I admire it from afar. I'm just. I'm an appreciator of the skateboard.

[Caller/Guest]

I appreciate you appreciating me. I need more people like you in my life.

[Steve Berg]

Okay. Sarah, I love this.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right. What are your weirdest hobbies?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, okay. Yeah, that's right up my alley. So do we. How much time do we have? No, I curl. So that Olympic sport where you run on ice, Dr. Yelling and like Swiffering. Yeah. I love curling. I've been doing it for 11 or 12 years. So it's summer, so it's hot. So I'm not currently. Currently doing it, but I typically curl about two nights a week in a league. And I just told you that I am an adult woman who is learning how to skateboard, so that's something. Yeah, I don't think that's. That's awkward and weird and I don't think it's weird because. Because I don't want that to the impression for anyone. But I also this year decided to really learn American Sign Language. I learned the Alphabet when I was a kid, but I wanted to really dig into that. So I've been taking like online lessons through the public library system to learn. To learn a sign language fully.

[Steve Berg]

You are living life to the fullest. That's very good. That's very good.

[Caller/Guest]

I'm all up for it.

[Steve Berg]

I'm very curious about this one because you sound adventurous as an adult. What is your idea of adventure?

[Caller/Guest]

My idea of adventure is trying something open minded and open hearted. Being ready to kind of fall on your ass and laugh about it. And it's okay if it's not something you want to try again, but you've got that one memory. And if it is something you want to try again, to be brave enough to invite somebody else along for it the next time. And that could be small. It could be literally taking one of those paint and drink a glass of wine classes. Or it could be something as big as, you know, trying skateboarding or curling.

[Steve Berg]

Right.

[Caller/Guest]

Or going on a big road trip.

[Steve Berg]

I love it. I Need you to keep on going with that skateboarding and learn to kickflip. I. I know you. If you can drop in on a ramp, you can kick flip. I believe that.

[Caller/Guest]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate that. I'm working on it.

[Steve Berg]

Keep going, sister. Keep going.

[Caller/Guest]

Thanks.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right. We will be in touch.

[Caller/Guest]

Okay. I hope so.

[Steve Berg]

We do, too. Thanks, Sarah. We appreciate it.

[Caller/Guest]

Have a great afternoon.

[Steve Berg]

You too, friend. Okay. That was fun. Sarah was great.

[Rob (Wobby)]

We're going to have to work on our exit strategy.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. We'll just.

[Rob (Wobby)]

We'll just let Natalie come in and yell at us and say we were going too long.

[Steve Berg]

All right, cut. Moving on.

[Caller/Guest]

I was going to.

[Jesse Thurston]

So coming in next is Andy. She's 39, and she is from Holyoke, Massachusetts.

[Steve Berg]

Okay. Hi, Andy.

[Caller/Guest]

Hi.

[Steve Berg]

What's up? Andy from Holyoke.

[Caller/Guest]

Everything is wonderful. How are you today?

[Steve Berg]

We're doing footloose and fancy free over here. We're having a great day.

[Caller/Guest]

That sounds so great. You sound like you're having a blast.

[Steve Berg]

Thank you. Thank you. We try. We try over here at. We're Here to Help hq, you know, just kind of a basic question for the listeners who can get a kind of lay the land here. And I do not mean this, you know, as like a pointed, rude question, but, like, why are you looking for the We're Here to Help podcast? Help you find a friendship buddy.

[Caller/Guest]

Well, you know what? I've listened to a lot of episodes, and they've given some good advice and some great advice and some okay advice, and it seems like a fun way as any other to have to find a friend.

[Steve Berg]

Good answer.

[Rob (Wobby)]

And just before we start, you've got Steve Berg and Rob here.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah, sorry.

[Rob (Wobby)]

And we're gonna. We're gonna take turns asking some questions, just kind of rapid fire at you so that the audience can get to know you a little bit.

[Caller/Guest]

Awesome.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right, so first question. If you can open up your Spotify and tell us the last five artists you listen to.

[Caller/Guest]

Okay, let me figure this out real quick. Okay, so I've been listening to a playlist that I made for a character in a book that I wrote. I'm writing. And the last five that played were the Velvet Underground.

[Steve Berg]

Excellent.

[Caller/Guest]

The Cardigans, Garbage, Savage Garden, and Bush.

[Steve Berg]

Interesting, Interesting. You're all over the place.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah. It's set in the 90s, so, you know.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah. And the Velvet Underground were really having that kind of a resurgence in the 90s. That makes perfect sense. Perfect sense.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah. She's, like, a little bit depressed. So.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah, well, who isn't? Just kidding.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right, can you tell us your weirdest hobbies?

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah, I can tell you some things that I like. I really like walking in the woods and looking for very small, small, small things. Today I went. I saw so many mushrooms. I saw at least five frogs, a couple of turtles, you know, whatever. I like reading a lot, and I read a lot of, like, really weird girl literary fiction, you know, that's kind of. Kind of funky. I'm also one of those people who, like, seems kind of boring, but then I'll say something really weird and insane, and everyone's like, wow, where did that come from? Okay, I guess that's a hobby.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Can you give us an example of that? Well, or just feel free to throw it in at some point.

[Caller/Guest]

I'm a little stressed here. Yeah, okay. I'll keep it. Keep it on the tip of my brain.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You'll think it'll come to you. It'll come to you. Or not.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right. Can you describe your ideal friend?

[Caller/Guest]

Date? Yeah, I think it would be very fun to, like, get a coffee or a tea or some sort. Go for a walk, pet some neighborhood dogs and cats. I'd like to hear about, like, somebody's workplace gossip. That'd be fun. And then, like, I really want a friend who's smart about stuff that I don't know about, and they can tell me about it. So I'd like to learn about things, and they could learn about things.

[Steve Berg]

Okay, okay. Okay. As an adult, what is your idea of adventure?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, anything can be an adventure. One time I went to a museum that was just this family stuff. It was incredible. I loved it.

[Steve Berg]

Amazing.

[Caller/Guest]

But also, I've gone ziplining, and that was fun. I would love to ride a horse. It would be cool to boat under the sea. I don't know. I could do anything. It's so much fun.

[Steve Berg]

You're a spirited individual. I like that. Good job.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right. What level of crime are you willing to cover up for your friends?

[Caller/Guest]

Probably most of it. I kind of have a rule that I don't call the cops for anything.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Not a snitch.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah. I mean, why would I want to do that?

[Steve Berg]

You didn't even have to think about it. That's great. I'm discovering that you know what's up. You know yourself very well. This is great.

[Caller/Guest]

I've done a lot of searching inside, you know, no friends. That's what it does to you.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, I hear you. You've been looking inward. Now it's Time to look outward with someone else. Okay, so here's another question for you. What is the signature dish? Now? I'm thinking more of the dinner hour that you would make for a new friend.

[Caller/Guest]

Ooh. I really like cooking, and I really like trying new things. And I used to work at these bakeries that were nominated for James Beard Awards, so I got tips.

[Steve Berg]

Whoa. Hello.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah, so don't even ask me about my brown butter cookies, girl.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, dish it.

[Caller/Guest]

Well, I probably just make whatever they want because I like to make new things.

[Steve Berg]

Well, no, but let's say. Let's say they didn't. Let's. But let's say they were coming over and they didn't, like, say what they wanted, and you're like, I'm gonna make them dinner.

[Rob (Wobby)]

You want to impress them?

[Steve Berg]

You want to impress them? Yeah. You want to be delicious off the top of your head?

[Caller/Guest]

Okay. Off the top of my head, I would make them a stew.

[Steve Berg]

Okay.

[Caller/Guest]

I don't know what kind of stew very often, but is this a beef.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Stew with like a. Yeah, venison stew.

[Caller/Guest]

Classic stew. Yeah.

[Steve Berg]

Okay.

[Caller/Guest]

Some. Some carrots, some potatoes.

[Steve Berg]

I'm down with the stew.

[Caller/Guest]

I've ever made one, but I kind of miss the fall, so I make it.

[Steve Berg]

Okay. Okay. Okay. Interesting. Well, that. I mean, let me tell you, you were, you know yourself very well, and you made it very easy for us. Thank you so much.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah, thank you very much. I had a bunch of notes and I didn't have to use them because I didn't know any of those questions were going to come, so I appreciate that.

[Steve Berg]

Good. Well, you did a fantastic job. And do me a favor, enjoy your dinner tonight, would you?

[Caller/Guest]

Thank you. I hope you have a wonderful afternoon, guys.

[Steve Berg]

All right. Bye, sister.

[Caller/Guest]

Bye.

[Gareth Reynolds]

It's so good to see you. Tell me what it's like to be you.

[Caller/Guest]

Foreign.

[Gareth Reynolds]

This episode of We're Here to Help is brought to you by the great Hulu, specifically, New Girl. Make it a New Girl Summer on Hulu and Hulu on Disney. Plus, guys, if you're listening to this show, you know New Girl. Well, look, it's all on Hulu right now. Hulu's looking for people to watch it. You've probably already seen the show. You've probably binged it. If you got Hulu, throw it on. Put it on in the background. Just get that show streaming. Make the good people of Hulu happy, and make it a God damn New Girl Summer. Because there's nothing like going back to the beginning and seeing old Jess and Nick meet for the first time. Well, I remember when our characters met for the first time. It was in the pilot we were shooting in the actual Prince in Koreatown. If you come to Los Angeles, you should go to the Prince Bar. If you're actually a New Girl fan, you should make a trip with your friends to Los Angeles to go to the Prince. It is a bar I used to hang out with before we started filming that show and we shot the first season there and then they built a replica on our set. It is just a magical place and it'll make you feel like you are in the bar where Nick worked. It looks exactly like that. And then while you're in that area, go to downtown and check out the outside of the loft. I don't remember the exact streets of this, but it's right in downtown la and there's great food around there too. So make it a New Girl Summer streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney plus. But also come to Los Angeles and experience the real New girl live. New Girl on Hulu. This episode of We're Here to Help is sponsored by Angry Orchard. Hard Cider. Don't get angry. Get Orchard. Listen, guys, there's a litany of things that we shouldn't get angry about, but let's be honest, sometimes it's hard not to be. I am angry that Eric Adelstein isn't on the show more often. I am angry that Steve Berg is not on the show more often. I find those men to be absolute kings.

[Ad/Promo Voice]

There's a lot of things that we shouldn't get angry about. You know what happened to me the other day? I was on the road, I was doing some laundry, and it ain't one of my quarters. Now, quarters on the road are very, very important, especially when it comes to laundry. And I had to go to the front desk to get more quarters. They didn't have any. All right? I just wore dirty underwear. So instead of getting angry over one of your situations, get an Angry Orchard and feel good, feel chill and refreshed. Not getting pissed off, but just having a tasty orchard.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Angry Orchard is the number one hard cider in the country. I'm a fan of Angry Orchard myself. I drink cider. I like Angry Orchard. Grab an Angry Orchard cider today. Don't get angry. Get Orchard. Please drink responsibly. This episode is brought to you by Squarespace.

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Squarespace. Look, you know what? It is all in one website platform. It helps you stand out, helps you succeed online, scale your business up. It gives you everything, helps you get from the domain claim to showing off all the things you can offer to building it up. My website is a Squarespace website. I love my website. It could not be easier. You know that it's user friendly if I'm using it and it looks so professional as well as the fact that we use, we use Squarespace all the time on this show to help corroborate some, you know, normally some nonsense. But don't forget about the, the, the suits and wig party that that was thrown. We had them squarespace it up. We had a woman on the show who wanted to do something that she didn't want her boss to know about. So we created an entire fake chef website. I'm sure that Squarespace is, you know, they are like happy to have you use their website for professional stuff, but we've used it for a couple fibs. There's cutting edge design, it's got an AI enhanced web builder. There's SEO tools, domains. I mean look, this is your dream, you need a domain. Squarespace domains make it easy to find the best name for your business at one fair all inclusive price.

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[Jesse Thurston]

Okay, so this next caller is Miriam from Wheaton, Illinois, which is a Chicago suburb. If you're not familiar.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Okay, do you want to pretend to be Jake and I'll be Gareth for this one?

[Steve Berg]

Yeah, I'm Jakey Johnson. Sorry, what was what, I'm sorry, what was, what was her name again?

[Rob (Wobby)]

Miriam.

[Steve Berg]

Miriam. Ooh, that's a wonderful name.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Miriam, are you, are you there?

[Steve Berg]

Hi Miriam, how are you doing? You're from Wheaton, Illinois. We here?

[Caller/Guest]

I am, yeah.

[Steve Berg]

Ah, pretty close.

[Caller/Guest]

You guys know of it?

[Steve Berg]

Well, I'm very familiar with Chicagoland area and I have heard of Wheaton. I actually did not know that was a suburb of Chicago.

[Rob (Wobby)]

I am very familiar with Wheaton, like right by Naperville.

[Caller/Guest]

I don't know if you know Naperville.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, I know Naperville. I know Naperville.

[Caller/Guest]

Okay.

[Steve Berg]

Love it, love it, love it. Well, I mean, so my name is Steve Berg and with me is.

[Rob (Wobby)]

This is Rob, I produce the show.

[Steve Berg]

You might know him as Wobby.

[Caller/Guest]

Wobby.

[Steve Berg]

Well, we are here to ask some just light hearted questions so we can get to know you better. So we can potentially see if you're a match for someone out there looking for a buddy.

[Caller/Guest]

I love that. Let's do it.

[Steve Berg]

Are you, Miriam, a patron of the arts? And if so, what brand? Concerts, theater, comedy, rodeo, exhibitions. It can be anything. Just needs to be the arts.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah. So I love going to improv shows downtown Wheaton. They're so good. Also do some concerts, but I would say mostly comedy shows. I actually have tickets to go see Gareth in October.

[Steve Berg]

Hell, yeah. That's great.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Can you tell us some of your weirdest hobbies?

[Caller/Guest]

Okay, my weirdest hobbies. I was thinking about this today because that would be, like, a question I would. I would ask, and unfortunately, mine is kind of embarrassing. So I. I like. So when I had my daughter, I was, like, used to, like, being, like, talking to people all day. I was staying at home. I was, like, so bored. Just like, she's not talking at all, right? And I'm like, what do with myself? And I didn't want to ever watch tv, so I, like, put the radio on, like, all day long, and I got to know, like, all these different radio shows, and I started, like, calling in to win prizes, and, like, I figured out how to win prizes really easily.

[Steve Berg]

You came to system.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah, that's what I did with my. My time having my baby. So, yeah, I don't know how many prizes I've won, but I've been to concerts, I've gotten, like, groceries, store gift cards, but I've probably won, like, thousands of dollars of prizes.

[Steve Berg]

This would make a great documentary. I'm not even joking. That is fantastic. That. What a great answer. I did not see that coming.

[Caller/Guest]

The biggest honor of all. Talk to you guys.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, wow. The feeling is mutual. The feeling is mutual, sister. I'm gonna. I'm gonna. I'm gonna hit you with another one.

[Caller/Guest]

While.

[Steve Berg]

While heavy for a midday meal. Where do you stand on pizza lunches?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, wow. You know, pizza is heavy, but it's always good. I'd have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah, I'd be fine with that.

[Steve Berg]

Okay. Okay.

[Caller/Guest]

Well, I feel like I answered wrong.

[Steve Berg]

You.

[Rob (Wobby)]

There is no wrong answer.

[Steve Berg]

I mean, like, I'm with you there. There's always. It's. Pizza is great for all occasions, right?

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right. What's your most annoying quality that prevents you from making more friends?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, that's a good one.

[Rob (Wobby)]

We just want to get red flags out of the way for anyone that is auditioning.

[Caller/Guest]

Okay. So something I'm. I'm learning and working on is I can be, like, too eager to, like, want to help. And, like, you know, I will try to give, like, unsolicited advice. So now, like, I'm hearing myself, like, I'm gearing up. I'm like, don't say it. That would be. That probably be my worst quality that I know.

[Steve Berg]

It's. If that is not a bad quality to have my opinion, like, you know, being eager to help is good.

[Caller/Guest]

I think, you know, you guys are here to help, too.

[Steve Berg]

I mean, you know, hey, right? You know, come on. Okay, let me see here. What? Do I look better? Okay. What. How do you break a sweat? Like, what physical activities are you into?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, awesome. I. I love to go for walks and listen to podcasts, so I'm sure somebody else out there that listens to your podcast probably also does that. But that's. That's my favorite thing to do is just to, like, you know, be thinking about other things and just moving my body and being outside.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah, it's a great way to hang out with somebody. You know, endorphins get the conversation going. You can go to some deeper places. I get it.

[Caller/Guest]

Totally.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right. What level of crime are you willing to cover up for your friends? Drug use, theft, murder. Where do you. Where do you draw the line?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, my God. My husband, like, he's asked me this several times because he would do anything for me. Like, he'd be like, no, you know, I'd help you bury the body, like. And I'm like, no, it's just not, like, I'd have to do the right thing. So I don't know how far I probably be, you know, if it was like, ah, you know, I don't think I would go very far. I'm not. I'm. I'm right or ride or die, but, like, not as far as that goes. That makes sense.

[Steve Berg]

It does.

[Rob (Wobby)]

It's a fair.

[Steve Berg]

Thank you so much for playing. We will be in touch. Thank you, Miriam. You have a wonderful day.

[Gareth Reynolds]

It's so good to see you. Tell me what it's like to be you.

[Jesse Thurston]

Next, we have Christina from Boston, and she's 27.

[Steve Berg]

Hello, Christina from Boston.

[Caller/Guest]

Hi.

[Steve Berg]

Hey. You're talking with Steve Berg and my homeboy Rob.

[Rob (Wobby)]

How's it going?

[Caller/Guest]

How exciting. How are you guys?

[Steve Berg]

We are. We couldn't be better. I shouldn't speak for you. Rob, how are you doing?

[Rob (Wobby)]

I'm doing great. This is a lot of fun.

[Steve Berg]

We're gonna get right down to brass tacks. I want to ask you, why do you feel that you need this show to help you find a friend? And I don't mean that, like, in a mean way. I'm Just we're, you know, just so the, the listeners know.

[Caller/Guest]

No, I get you. Well, I moved to Boston a few months ago now, so like I technically have had a little bit of time to make friends, but I just feel like it's a hard city to make new friends in. Everybody's got their own thing going on. Feel like people got places to go and people are not chatty here. Like, I'm from Arizona and people in the west coast are like, they just want to chat all the time and it's just not like that here. I moved in February, so it's been like a little less than six months.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, you're a fresh faced baby of Boston Austin.

[Caller/Guest]

Yes.

[Steve Berg]

Okay, wonderful. No, this all makes sense. Well, if you don't mind, we're going to get right down to brass tacks and start with the questions. Rob, would you like to lead us off, buddy?

[Rob (Wobby)]

Yes. Will you open up your Spotify and tell us the last five artists that you listen to?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, my God, this is so personal. Oh, my gosh. Okay, let me see. I don't even know how I would know that. Okay, I have K. Trinada, Kelly, Uches, Bad Bunny, the Marias, and Floor.

[Steve Berg]

Okay, great, great, great, great. I like it. Let me ask you a question. I'm going to make an adjustment on this question specifically for you. Do you believe in ghosts?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, I, you know, I don't have. I. How do I say this? I feel like they definitely, possibly do exist. Like, I don't want to have a hard answer on anything. I'm the type of person that's like, anything is possible until I know for sure it's not kind of thing. I haven't had any personal paranormal activity happen to me. But I also feel like I've heard enough stories from people that I like, trust and believe that I'm like, yeah, that's like abnormal.

[Steve Berg]

Is it safe to say that you're open to it?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, yeah, I listen to it.

[Steve Berg]

Okay. I love it.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right, what's your most annoying quality that prevents you from making more friends?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, my most annoying quality. Okay. I don't know if this prevents me from making friends, but I feel like I make a lot of pun jokes and they kind of just like a lot of dad jokes. And I feel like they kind of take over me in the moment sometimes when I'm like, yeah, like barely met someone or something.

[Steve Berg]

I know the feeling.

[Caller/Guest]

I'm glad you can relate to this because I tried explaining to someone once. I feel like I feel like something takes over me. Like, I have no control. Like, I hear a pun and I have to say it.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah.

[Caller/Guest]

So, yeah, I see how that could be annoying if it's not the right time for a pun.

[Steve Berg]

I mean, I come. My policy. It's always the right time for a pun. I love that. Okay, here's another one for you. As an adult. What's your idea of adventure?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, as an adult. An idea of adventure. I think just stepping outside of your comfort zone as an adult is already an adventure. I feel like as adults, we put ourselves into, like, boxes of what we're, like, supposed to do or not do or how we're supposed to behave.

[Steve Berg]

Can you give an example?

[Caller/Guest]

Kind of like meeting people in real life instead of a podcast.

[Steve Berg]

I hear you.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah. This is definitely very unconventional for me, and I don't like putting myself out there in any way, but I was feeling adventurous, and then, I don't know, I just feel like, in terms of, like, traveling as well. Like, I feel like a lot of people are scared to, like, go to somewhere new or just, like, a country with, like, very different cultures because they don't know, like, what that's gonna be like, but it's just, like, you don't know until you try kind of thing. And I think it's really fun to be immersed into, like, new places and new cultures. So, yeah, I think that's. That's what I would say, like, in general, whether it's, like, traveling and planning, like, a whole actual adventure or just, like, going to, like, a cooking class. And that's feeling adventurous for you? Like, I don't know. I think the scale doesn't matter unless as long as you're, like, challenging yourself.

[Steve Berg]

Good answer. What is your signature dish that you would make for a friend? Oh, God. Great answer.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah, I, like, I would host lasagna nights, like, back in Arizona, and now I need people to have lasagna nights with in Boston.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, man.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Like, Steve's head into Boston.

[Steve Berg]

I'm. I'm floored. I guess. I'm. Yeah, look, I just bought a first class ticket to Boston. I will. Look, I have a heavy appetite. You're gonna want to double up that. That batch. Great answer.

[Caller/Guest]

No problem. No problem.

[Steve Berg]

Great answer, friend. I think I'm gonna be altering my cooking schedule and making lasagna this. This weekend, so thank you for that, but it was. It's been. This is great. This is great. That's all we got for you.

[Caller/Guest]

All right, well, thank you, guys. Have a good rest of your night.

[Steve Berg]

All right. Have a Good one. Bye. Thank you.

[Caller/Guest]

Bye.

[Gareth Reynolds]

It's so good to see you. Tell me what it's like to be you.

[Jesse Thurston]

Okay, so next we have Matea. She's 25 and she is from Tucson.

[Steve Berg]

Okay. Hello, Matea. How are you doing? You are talking to Steve Berg and.

[Rob (Wobby)]

You got Rob here, too.

[Caller/Guest]

Hi, guys.

[Steve Berg]

What's up, buddy? How you doing?

[Caller/Guest]

I'm doing pretty good. I'm glad you're here, Steve.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, I'm so glad to be here. Really, I'm just thrilled. Let me. Let me just say this, and I do not, we do not mean this in like a rude way, but like, because we're, you know, doing a little interview process. Why are you looking for the we're here to help podcast? Help you find a friendship buddy?

[Caller/Guest]

I currently have one friend. Her name is Rachel. She's a sweetheart, but she is my only friend. I work in a pretty male heavy environment, so I don't get to meet a lot of women, which is my preferred friend.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah.

[Caller/Guest]

So I'm kind of looking for women in my area to make a little friendship buddy with.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Are you. Are you trying to make Rachel jealous, too?

[Caller/Guest]

I'm trying to make Rachel jealous because Rachel has like a hundred friends and I only have one, so I want something on the side to make her nervous.

[Steve Berg]

Well, let's figure out if we can make Rachel jealous. We're going to pepper you with some questions and we're going to go every other here. But Rob's going to start us off.

[Jesse Thurston]

Yes.

[Rob (Wobby)]

If you can open up your Spotify, can you tell us the last five artists you listen to?

[Caller/Guest]

Yes. It's going to be embarrassing. Hold on.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Good, good.

[Caller/Guest]

Let's look at this. I listened to Morgan Wallen. I listened to Los Lonely Boys.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, yeah.

[Caller/Guest]

Song. It's like How Far Is Heaven? You know? You know the one.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, nice. Timber.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah. Thank you. I worked really hard on it. Daniel Caesar, Arctic Monkeys, and Miley Cyrus.

[Steve Berg]

Okay.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Range. Yeah.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah. You're all over the place. I love that. I love that. Okay, here's my question for you. Let's say this new friend or a potential friend came over to your house for a hang and they brought a Ouija board. Would you let them use it to try to contact the undead at your house?

[Caller/Guest]

I would love that. I think that that would be a lot of fun. I'm not afraid of things like that. So bring on the keyboard.

[Steve Berg]

Hell yeah. Great answer. All right.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Will you tell us your weirdest hobbies?

[Caller/Guest]

My weirdest hobby?

[Rob (Wobby)]

Your most unique hobbies and interests.

[Caller/Guest]

Most Unique hobby. I'm really into butchery, so I like breaking down animals. And sometimes you get to, like, when you're breaking something down, you have to bleed it out. And I like squeezing the blood out of the intestine, so that's pretty fun.

[Steve Berg]

Didn't see that coming, Rob, did you?

[Rob (Wobby)]

Nope, nope, nope.

[Steve Berg]

I'm going to quote you. I like to squeeze the blood out of animals.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Is this while they're alive or already dead?

[Steve Berg]

Someone's got to do it. Someone's got to do it. No, I'm with you. I'm with you. Eat what you kill. Do you hunt?

[Caller/Guest]

I don't hunt. I would love to, but I.

[Steve Berg]

But you just like. But you just like. So do hunters just come to you with their dead animals? They, like, squeeze the blood out for me. You're like, I'm happy to do it.

[Caller/Guest]

I have. I have a connection. I have a connection.

[Steve Berg]

So you buy. So you buy. You. You buy dead animals, like, from underground, like, weird cult or something like that? Like, what's the connection?

[Caller/Guest]

To have a connection. I have a connection.

[Steve Berg]

Okay. You can't say anything more. Okay, well, this leads me to my next question perfectly. What? Let's say you're having a buddy over and you want to impress them. What dish are you going to make for them for dinner?

[Caller/Guest]

Okay, well, I think that making ravioli from scratch is a big. From the heart. I feel like people know that. It's coming from your heart.

[Steve Berg]

Absolutely. What kind of filling?

[Caller/Guest]

I think we're talking short rib ravioli, little mushroom cream sauce.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, God. That is.

[Caller/Guest]

I have a bit of an advantage. I'm a chef professionally, so I have a bit of an advantage, but I do like that specifically.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right, what's the best meal you've ever had?

[Caller/Guest]

The best meal I ever had, I had this amazing tartar with quail egg yolks on it. It was actually quite recently, and it was just the freshest, rawest beef you could imagine. I'm sure that you guys are seeing a theme here, but I'm big into that kind of thing. So raw egg yolks, raw meat. It was very good. Very lemony.

[Steve Berg]

Wow. I would be your buddy in a second. This. I mean, like, good Lord. I mean, like, you can make ravioli from scratch, and this is working great answers. Okay, I just got. Is this my last one? No, I have maybe two more. Okay. Anyways, do you prefer to have a set agenda, or are you kind of more of a go with the flow to see what happens kind of galaxy?

[Caller/Guest]

I am the Least go with the flow person that has ever existed. I love a set schedule. I love everything planned out. I do not go with the flow. I am allergic to it. I can't do it.

[Steve Berg]

You hate the flow.

[Caller/Guest]

I'm not.

[Steve Berg]

Okay, fair enough.

[Caller/Guest]

Write that down. Anti flow.

[Steve Berg]

Anti flow. Okay.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right. Can you tell us what level of crime you're willing to cover up for a friend? Is it drug use, theft, cannibalism, murder?

[Caller/Guest]

I would go. I would go all the way for my. For my one buddy I got. I would go all the way for her. Murder, cannibalism, the whole thing.

[Rob (Wobby)]

So Rachel has murdered and eaten someone, it sounds like.

[Steve Berg]

I mean, she screamed blood for fun. Okay, well, here's here. How about. How about this? As an adult, what is your idea of, like, real adventure?

[Caller/Guest]

Real adventure?

[Steve Berg]

Yeah.

[Caller/Guest]

I think that getting, as I said, not a go with the flow type of person. So just going out, if there is an event, if there's something happening and it's last minute, like we just hear about it getting out and just going to something on a whim, that's a big adventure for me. I would like to just get on a plane and go somewhere. I'm not saying a friend has to want to do that with me, but I would like to do that. Just anything, anything without a plan is adventurous. Since I'm. I'm a planner girl, so.

[Steve Berg]

Copy that. Copy that. Let me tell you, you did an excellent job. I. You're a very interesting person and thank you so much for participating.

[Caller/Guest]

Thank you guys so much for letting me be part of it.

[Steve Berg]

Absolutely. And do me a favor. You have yourself a great dinner tonight.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah, I will. Have a good dinner, chef.

[Steve Berg]

Okay. You have a good one. Thank you. Bye. Bye.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Tell me what it's like to be you. This episode is brought to you by Mint Mobile. You know what doesn't belong in your epic summer plans? Getting burned by your old wireless bill. While you're planning beach trips, BBQs, and three day weekends, your wireless bill should be the last thing holding you back. That's why I made the switch to Mint Mobile.

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[Gareth Reynolds]

Skip breaking a sweat and break in the bank. Get this new customer offer and your three month unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a [e-mail] here to help. That's mintmobile.com here to help.

[Ad/Promo Voice]

Upfront payment of 45 required equivalent to 15amonth limited time new customer offer for first three months only. Speeds may slow above 35 gigabytes on unlimited plan. Taxes and fees extra. See Mint Mobile for details. And we are brought to you by Quince. I just. I'm grunting because of how much I love Quince. I love Quince the best. Why are you going to spend all this money on clothing when you don't have to? Quince has the best stuff. High quality fabrics, classic fits, lightweight layers for warmer weather. And they're all set to prices that make sense. I carry so much Quint's stuff with me on the road, I wear it when I have to look good for podcasting. Even though Jake will make fun of me for reinventing my look. Well, Quince has been a big part of that. Quince has closet staples you'll want to reach for over and over, like a cozy cashmere and cotton sweater for $50. They've got breathable flow knit polos, comfortable lightweight pants. Truly stuff you can wear when you're just kind of chilling out or when you want to go look kind of nice for dinner, whatever you're doing.

[Gareth Reynolds]

I'm gonna be honest now, I do wear some quints. I like their shirts a lot. I like the pants. They are high quality so I can wear them if I've got a work event. But they're also very comfortable so Quince has become a long sponsor of ours and I'm a man who wears Quince. Looks professional, it's easy, feels good, it's comfortable. So keep it classic and cool with long lasting staples from quints. Go to quints.com here to help for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. And that's Quince. Q-U-I-N C E.com here to help to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com here to help without knowing Sydney.

[Jesse Thurston]

Who'S your pick for who you would like to have a friendship game?

[Rob (Wobby)]

I mean, Mateo is a lot of fun. Although she's 25. She's kind of like. I don't know, like she's gonna figure it out.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Feels like the stakes are a little.

[Ad/Promo Voice]

Lower in a way. I. I feel like Andy kind of grew on me. Yeah, I think it all went on.

[Rob (Wobby)]

I was like, oh, you're kind of a freak. And, like, you seem to. I don't know, you seem to really want a buddy. You think she came off more as a freak than Matea who likes to drain the blood of animals?

[Steve Berg]

I like to squeeze the blood of animals. That's fucking great.

[Rob (Wobby)]

But, I mean, she's also like a chef, so she kind of.

[Caller/Guest]

She.

[Jesse Thurston]

At least she has a butcher shop. It's like a restaurant slash butcher shop. It makes way more sense.

[Steve Berg]

It does, it does. But to the listeners, it's not. And that's a fantastic answer. Yeah.

[Jesse Thurston]

Okay, so. So that's Jesse's. Jesse has to leave in a couple minutes, but then at the end of Sidney's. Steve, Rob and I will do it as an outro. Our vote on who we want. But we got yours, Jesse. So yours is Andy.

[Rob (Wobby)]

That's my vote right now. Without having heard.

[Caller/Guest]

Sydney. Okay.

[Jesse Thurston]

All right, so this is Sydney from Model Colorado, which is a little town between Santa Fe and Denver, and she is 37.

[Steve Berg]

Okay.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Those are very distant cities.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah, not close.

[Jesse Thurston]

So this is, like, in the middle of nowhere.

[Steve Berg]

Exactly. Oh, I love it.

[Caller/Guest]

Hello?

[Steve Berg]

Hello, Sydney, Is this you?

[Caller/Guest]

Yes, yes, Sydney.

[Steve Berg]

You are speaking with Steve Berg and my man.

[Rob (Wobby)]

You got Rob here, too.

[Steve Berg]

Well, how are you doing today, friend?

[Caller/Guest]

Well, good. I'm sorry. I'm a little starstruck. Well, this is so exciting.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, it's exciting to have you on, Trust me. Why do you feel like you want or need the we're here to help podcast? Help you find a friendship buddy?

[Caller/Guest]

Well, first of all, I think that you guys have done a good job because you've had a couple tries at this and finding some friends. And I think you offer great advice, the podcast in general, anyways. And then I just, you know, I moved back home not too long ago, a couple years ago, and that sounds kind of funny, but I was working remotely, so I was really lame and really not really finding many friends, even though I grew up where I'm at And so, so now I'm working in town, which, I mean, maybe we can get into that later, what that means to me. But anyway, so I just, I just need some more friends, some adult friends. I have a lot of college friends that I kind of talk to occasionally. But as an adult now, I just haven't been the best at making friends.

[Steve Berg]

Well, let's see if we can help out with that.

[Rob (Wobby)]

You said you live in a small town. What's the weirdest thing you've witnessed in your small town?

[Caller/Guest]

Okay, when I say I live in a small town, I literally live 35 minutes from a small town. So I live. Yeah, so let's see. I live on a ranch. So the weirdest thing I've witnessed that's really hard to actually describe, but my town that I live closest to is about 10,000 people. And we have some, some interesting people. So probably the weirdest thing I've witnessed. Oh, I can't tell you how many times I've seen many, many, like shirtless men roaming around town playing boomboxes off of their bikes. Yeah, yeah, that, that's always fun. But like I said, I live in the middle of nowhere, so that's kind of a hard thing to describe.

[Steve Berg]

Let's say you're going on an, an epic cross country road trip. Would you rather take this road trip with A, John Travolta or B, Madonna?

[Caller/Guest]

John Travolta.

[Steve Berg]

Okay.

[Caller/Guest]

That was a question.

[Steve Berg]

You could sing the Grease soundtrack. I mean, I would, I would have minded it a little explanation.

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, sure. Greece was my ride or die when I was young. And also, hell yeah, he was super weird and hairspray. But I, I still love him and I just think he's so co. And I'll be honest, you know, when we talk about. I just get along with guys a lot more. I feel like I have a lot more in common. And I feel like Madonna would almost like intimidate me with her coolness.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah, yeah, I can see that girl.

[Caller/Guest]

Coolness.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah, yeah, Understood. Let me ask you this question. The paranormal, ghosts, Bigfoot, UFOs, all that stuff, is it utter garbage or is there something to it?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, so this is definitely a Steve question. Yeah, I could have known, I could have guessed that you would ask. Anyway, so I am a, I'm a faith driven person, so I am a religious person. And I also though firmly believe in all of that. So I don't know gonna get in trouble by any. But I grew up in a, like I said, small town. I went to a school that Had a lot of the buildings that were built, you know, in the early 1900s. And I can tell you, of experience I've had, I like, no doubt believe in ghosts and also bigfoot. My dad and I, whenever I'm home and I can go down and watch with him. We are religious and watching shows about bigfoot Because I am just waiting, waiting to see him. Because it's gonna happen one of these days.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah. I want that for you so bad. And if it does happen, please get in touch with me right away.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah. I don't know. I don't know if I'll ever see him out here on the plains of southeastern Colorado.

[Steve Berg]

Not with that attitude, you won't.

[Caller/Guest]

True. I gotta be hopeful.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah.

[Rob (Wobby)]

All right, this is weirdly my next question. Who would you rather meet, Bigfoot or Jesus?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, well, that is not nice. That's not a nice question. Well, I couldn't meet Jesus because he's already died and been resurrected and, you know, so then. Then I have to answer bigfoot because that's just by me using my faith as a. As a backup here so I don't get in trouble Because I really want to meet bigfoot.

[Steve Berg]

Okay. I love it. Now I'm gonna ask you a question that you've probably been asked a million times before. Let's say I'm about. I'm driving a big u haul truck and I'm about ready to drop off this vending machine. But I have two vending machines in the truck. One is a vending machine that gives you a lifetime supply of free mozzarella cheese sticks with dip, various dipping sauces. The other one is a soft served ice cream machine with three different flavors. Which one do you choose?

[Caller/Guest]

The mozzarella sticks. Okay, now, I'm a fan of the savory.

[Steve Berg]

I. I concur. No, what were the three dipping sauces you would choose? Well, you know, you can choose.

[Caller/Guest]

I like to be. I like a little different. Like, I know everyone would say ranch and that might be one. Might be one. But I like like a gar. Something and then maybe like a buffalo ranch.

[Steve Berg]

Okay. No marinara.

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, no. I never choose a man there. I don't know why. I'm a weirdo.

[Steve Berg]

Interesting. Well, no, yeah, that's. I like this. Okay, go ahead.

[Caller/Guest]

I mean, I like marinara, but sure. Maybe like something. Maybe like a go ahead.

[Steve Berg]

No, please. I'm sorry. I thought you were breaking up. No, you're good. You're good.

[Caller/Guest]

No. Okay. Yeah. Maybe something like tomatoey, like a. I don't Know, like a compote or something. I don't know, something like that.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Yeah, like a marinara.

[Caller/Guest]

No.

[Steve Berg]

Okay, fine.

[Caller/Guest]

A marinara then.

[Steve Berg]

I mean, we really want you to have a marinara. We just feel that you'll be like upset if you don't have a marinara down the road, you know, so we're trying to help you.

[Caller/Guest]

Something a little tomato. I need something a little tomatoey. So. You're probably right. I just. Marinara is fine, but with mozzarella stick I'm going to have. And I'm also gluten free, so it's super stupid. So, I mean, I'd be suffering, but I'd probably not care, so.

[Steve Berg]

Well, these are gluten free sticks. They, they, they will, you know, they'll work around your digestion needs.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Yeah, I think you said that when you were setting this up.

[Steve Berg]

Well, you have been a real delight, my friend. Thank you so much.

[Caller/Guest]

Yes, well, thank you so much. I, I honestly was an honor to be chosen and I said, well, there must have just been six applicants, so I'm the top six and more like 6,000. Oh, my goodness. Okay. Well, I'm so thankful. So, yeah, I live here in the middle of nowhere on my ranch and mainly talk to my dog and cows, so this is really nice.

[Steve Berg]

Oh, that's so nice. Well, let me just say best of luck in finding Bigfoot and if you do, you know where to reach me. And I'd be happy to be the lead investigator on this discovery.

[Caller/Guest]

Yes. And I'm so honored to talk to both of you. So thank you so much for letting me have this chance. I appreciate it.

[Steve Berg]

We appreciate you, my friend. You have a beautiful evening.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Thanks, Sydney.

[Caller/Guest]

Yes, you too. Okay, bye. Bye.

[Steve Berg]

Ciao. Am I supposed to pick my very favorite or rank them?

[Rob (Wobby)]

I think favorite, because I don't.

[Jesse Thurston]

Just your favorite. Maybe if you have like a backup up.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah, Okay. I think I know mine.

[Jesse Thurston]

Mine would be, you know, yours.

[Steve Berg]

Sorry.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Yeah, mine's easy.

[Steve Berg]

Rob, you go first. Now I want. Rob, you go first.

[Rob (Wobby)]

I mean, Matea from Tucson, Arizona. The chef likes to drain blood. She seems like a wild card and would be fun to play this game.

[Jesse Thurston]

I don't think she needs this game, though. I think Jesse's point was correct.

[Steve Berg]

That's my only drawback too, is that she is.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Well, yeah, she's an easy sell as a friend. But I'm in the spirit of making this show the most interesting.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Rob (Wobby)]

I would like to see that interaction with her interviewing four or five people.

[Steve Berg]

I'm gonna Go with. I'm gonna go with Sydney. You know what? I. I really liked her. I. She. I feel like she knows who she is. Also like her situation. I feel like maybe call for a little. It's a little more emergency driven where she is in the middle. She's like, you know what she said? Like an hour away From a town.

[Jesse Thurston]

30 minutes from small town.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah. So I kind of like my heart really is going to go with Sydney. So. I hear you. I'm a tea mate. Is like a pretty easy home run, I think. But she's so young, and I just feel that, like, she's got to figure it out. So I'm going to go with Sydney. And then my runner up would be Mateo. And then I really liked Andy too. I thought Andy was great.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Yeah. Yeah, I liked Andy too.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah.

[Rob (Wobby)]

I think my only. I liked Sidney. But I feel like finding people for her to hang out with in a small town, it's going to be nearly impossible from a producing standpoint. Is why I eliminated her from my top pick.

[Steve Berg]

That's. That's so true.

[Rob (Wobby)]

We're gonna let. We're gonna let people vote. So.

[Steve Berg]

Okay. It's gonna be up to the people. I'm gonna stick. I'll stick with my, My, my thoughts then. But boy, everyone was pretty great.

[Jesse Thurston]

I really liked Andy also. Sarah was like the cool skateboarder.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah.

[Jesse Thurston]

Needed a skateboarding buddy.

[Rob (Wobby)]

I feel like all of these people.

[Steve Berg]

Me too.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Would be great for it. But I want to hear more about the animals getting butchered.

[Jesse Thurston]

Maybe the question for us as a just behind the scenes thing isn't who would we pick to play the friendship game? It's who would we apply to be friends with? Which I think for Rob is the same. Like he would be friends with Mateo the chef. So does that change your answer, Steve?

[Steve Berg]

I would stick with Sidney because I like the idea of a small town person who is like, just isolated, talking to cows and dogs and who wants to find Bigfoot like that. That. That rings a lot of bells for me. By the way, you're. You're in your third different drink.

[Rob (Wobby)]

Mm.

[Steve Berg]

How many drinks do you have?

[Rob (Wobby)]

Natalie brought me this. I've got a Topo Chico.

[Steve Berg]

And then you have like, a green juice.

[Rob (Wobby)]

I've got a Matcha also.

[Steve Berg]

What are you gonna do when you run out of all three?

[Rob (Wobby)]

Three more. Go home.

[Steve Berg]

Yeah. Then I'm done. Well, you know, let me just say everyone needs a cohort to walk through this life. Life is scary. Life is terrifying. Maybe now more so than it has been and to go through life alone is a sad thing. You need a friend, not just to have fun with, to go on an adventure with, to be concerned about things, you know, to say, scared to look for Bigfoot. So I think friendship is important. While, you know, it's a. It's like, you know, I actually got the sense that every one of the candidates today was being very genuine and not just wanting to be on a, like a successful podcast. I think they're like, no, I was would kind of like a friend. Like, they seemed very genuine in their search. So I think that's a beautiful thing.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah.

[Rob (Wobby)]

And hopefully we can help them find some friends.

[Steve Berg]

I think we can.

[Jesse Thurston]

So everyone vote in the link which will be in the episode description that I don't have ready for you yet, but it will be by the time this episode is released.

[Gareth Reynolds]

We're here to Help is hosted by Jake Johnson and Gareth Reynolds. If you'd like to be on the show, please email us your question@ HelpfulPodmail.com and if you want to watch video episodes of We're Here to Help, you can go to our [e-mail] heretohelpod to see our entire catalog.

[Rob (Wobby)]

We're Here to Help is produced by Rabbit Grim Productions executive producers Rob Hollis, Jeff Porter and Natalie Hollis. Associate producer Jesse Thurston. Editing, mix and master by Chris theme.

[Ad/Promo Voice]

Song by Oliver Raleigh. The COVID artwork is by James Fosdike, animations by Andrew Strelecki. And if you'd like to see Gareth do stand up on the road, go to garethreynolds.com Remember, all 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.

[Caller/Guest]

All video episodes of season one are.

[Ilana Hope Levinson]

Available now on Patreon, and season two video episodes will be available every Monday starting January 20th. Go to patreon.com heretohelppod hi, I'm Ilana Hope Levinson.

[Caller/Guest]

And I'm Dan O'.

[Steve Berg]

Sullivan.

[Caller/Guest]

And this is the Outfit, the new podcast from Higher Ground and Headgum. We're two journalists who are slightly obsessed with the mob and organized crime and other nefarious stuff like that. Every week, we're gonna bring you a story about a mobster. Some you've heard of, some you definitely haven't. But all of them are gonna help explain why America is like this. See, the mob explains all sorts of things, from milk expiration dates to why we got into Cuba to Las Vegas gay bars. Who knew?

[Rob (Wobby)]

Who knew the mob's involved.

[Caller/Guest]

All that and more. Subscribe to the Outfit wherever you get your podcasts and watch video episodes on YouTube. New episodes every Thursday.