Podcast Summary: "We're Here to Help" – Episode 239: WEIRD Here To Help: Pandora's Cable Box & Mantis Pesto (with Gareth Reynolds)

Date: December 12, 2025
Host: Headgum
Guests: Jake Johnson, Gareth Reynolds, Steve Berg, Eric Edelstein
Featured Callers: Annie, Aaron, Emma

Episode Overview

This episode of "We're Here to Help" is a special “Weird Here to Help” edition featuring hosts Steve Berg and Eric Edelstein—alongside frequent collaborator Gareth Reynolds. The trio field eccentric, hilarious, and sometimes touching calls from listeners seeking advice. Highlights include pranks on a stubborn boomer dad over cable TV, the ethics of praying mantis egg sacks, and an update from a caller who sought spiritual cleansing from a “grumpy old man” entity. The banter is friendly, irreverent, and often veers into comedic territory, with memorable riffs on parenting, pest control, and the supernatural.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter & Updates

(Timestamps: 01:29 – 13:00)

• Gareth Reynolds opens with a humorous intro, promoting the "Steve Berg Sexy Calendar" and joking about fan interactions and Steve's misunderstood ethnicity.
• Anecdotes from the road: Gareth recounts fans being surprised Steve isn’t Black and witnessing Steve's post-show revelry.
• Steve and Eric riff on concerts attended, ticket-buying tactics, and how older musicians like Herb Alpert and David Byrne still wow audiences.
• The crew shares praise for Gareth's live show and his quick wit, setting the stage for a lively episode.

Notable quote:
"You break it, you bought it. That's my mantra for everyone dealing with me." – Steve Berg [09:15]

2. Call #1 – Annie: "Pandora's Cable Box"

(Timestamps: 15:53 – 39:59)

Context

Annie from Rhode Island is frustrated that her boomer dad exposed her anxious 5-year-old to the terrifying "chair scene" in Ghostbusters, reportedly undoing six months of therapeutic progress. Annie seeks help plotting a harmless, psychological prank as light-hearted payback.

Discussion

• The gang brainstorms escalating, mischievous but harmless ideas to mess with her dad's routine and TV habits, including:

  • Planting an unclaimed syrup bottle in the fridge.
  • Having a phantom pizza delivered to his door.
  • Secretly moving or modifying his decade-old comb.
  • Sending fake delinquent letters from the cable company about "adult content."
  • Using a universal remote to change TV channels from another room for a poltergeist effect, tying back to the Ghostbusters scare.
  • Enlisting Annie’s son to convince Grandpa there are "slimy" ghostly activities in the house.

• The plan is ultimately to let these pranks bubble for a few weeks and film the reactions, reeling the dad in with a final reveal—and a lesson not to "F around and find out" with anxious kids and scary movies.

Notable quotes:

• "We opened a Pandora's box... the Pandora's cable box." – Gareth Reynolds [24:36]
• "This is beautiful parenting: proving even Grandpa gets spooked sometimes." – Gareth Reynolds [38:06]
• "He exposed your son to Gozer. It's karma, baby." – Steve Berg [37:50]

3. Call #2 – Aaron: "Mantis Pesto Party"

(Timestamps: 40:09 – 61:27)

Context

Aaron, a delivery driver from Greenville, SC, adopted two praying mantises he found on her route. Both laid egg sacs (oothecae)—one possibly fertile. But the species is invasive, and hatching could mean 50–400 baby mantises. Aaron is seeking ethical, humane, and possibly creative solutions for the impending bug boom.

Discussion

• The group debates bug ethics with comedic flair:
  • Should Aaron destroy the egg sacs, set them free, or allow nature (and possibly mantis cannibalism) to take its course?
  • Eric pitches making the egg hatch into a “mantis party”—with green-themed food (pesto, spinach linguine, green drinks), and inviting guests to take home baby mantises as pets.
  • Steve and Eric go back and forth on culinary possibilities: should they… eat the mantises (with balsamic reduction)? Steve objects, Eric pushes for responsible, “nose-to-tail” eating if necessary.
  • After much joking, the group encourages Aaron to organize a mantis hatching party, give away as many as possible, ensure none escape into the wild, and enjoy the weirdness. Eating is optional (and preferably not the option!).

Notable quotes:

• "Who are we to play God over a mantis's life?" – Eric Edelstein [47:58]
• "If it was prepared right, with a rice, I wouldn't say no." – Eric Edelstein [48:35]
• "This is a pesto party... so many salads, green is good!" – Steve Berg [51:41]
• "I'm not into eating them. I do like the idea of a mantis party." – Aaron [56:47]

4. Call #3 – Emma: "Exorcising the Grumpy Old Man Attachment"

(Timestamps: 61:36 – 75:22)

Context

Emma, who previously called in about three separate people claiming she had a “grumpy old man” entity attached to her soul, follows up after a remote session with a healer named Joel (recommended by Steve).

Discussion

• Emma explains her hour-long phone session with Joel:
  • Joel confirms Emma has a “human entity” attached, not a demon, and helps her through visualization and boundary-setting exercises to encourage the spirit to move on.
  • Emma expresses empathy for the lost soul, worrying about leaving it alone, but is reassured this is not her burden.
  • Joel teaches Emma to reclaim her personal boundaries—both spiritual and practical—a skill transferable to all relationships.
• Steve defends the validity and psychological value of energy healing. Eric remains skeptical but supportive, pleased Emma found peace and practical benefits from the session.

Notable quotes:

• "To me, this is science that's undiscovered... why can't energy be parasitized just like the blood?" – Steve Berg [63:35]
• "He said, you can’t be manipulated by this entity. It’s not your problem." – Emma [66:26]
• "If you feel good after, then who cares what the skeptics say?" – Eric Edelstein [72:27]

Memorable Moments & Humor Highlights

• Extended riffing on the "bubbles on the pizza crust" as a sign of excellence (18:58).
• Over-the-top plans for poltergeist remotes and covert syrup sabotage.
• Chaotic yet oddly rational debate on the ethics (and recipes?) of eating invasive mantises.
• Playful healing skepticism: forcing Steve to justify crown chakras with David Lynch references (69:10).
• Callbacks to previous episodes, ongoing “Steve Berg will eat anything” jokes, and warm, silly birthday wishes for Annie.

Key Timestamps by Segment

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Opening banter, calendar promotion, and concert talk | 1:29–12:56 | | Call #1 (Annie – Pranking Dad Over Ghostbusters) | 15:53–39:59 | | Call #2 (Aaron – The Mantis Party Dilemma) | 40:09–61:27 | | Call #3 (Emma – Grumpy Old Man Spirit Update) | 61:36–75:22 |

Tone & Language

The show is unscripted, full of playful sarcasm, pop-culture riffs, and “dumb bits.” The hosts are supportive but never earnest for long—every segment is laced with comedic exaggeration, light rants, and inside jokes. The hosts try to help, but always in an atmosphere of inclusive, self-aware absurdity.

Closing Notes

This episode is a quintessential listen for fans of improvisational problem-solving and comedy podcasts. Listeners get inventive prank ideas, an oddly heartwarming take on invasive species, and a surprising dive into spiritual boundaries—all delivered with quick wit and contagious laughter.

For those seeking advice (serious or not):
Email helpfulpod@gmail.com to get your question on the show!