We're Here to Help

Episode 244: “Ear to Help & The Master Appears” (with Eric Edelstein)

Original Air Date: December 29, 2025
Hosts: Jake Johnson & Gareth Reynolds
Guest: Eric Edelstein

Episode Overview

This episode goes deep (and sometimes a bit too far) into the weird world of ear cleaning and the existential crossroads of a martial arts master. As always, Jake, Gareth, and guest Eric Edelstein take listener calls and offer support, advice, and wild business pitches—regardless of their professional qualifications.

The show centers on two calls:

1. Jackie, a Physician Assistant who cleans ears and wonders how to respond to clients finding the experience a little too pleasurable—and considers making it an official "ear spa" side business.
2. Will, a 6th-degree black belt in Taekwondo torn between pushing for true mastery or stepping back from his lifelong practice.

The hallmark wit and warmth is present, with plenty of side-bits, quote-worthy one-liners, and gentle ribbing among long-time friends.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. New Year’s Plans & Reflections

Timestamps: 00:44 – 07:30

• Jake and Gareth catch up about upcoming New Year’s celebrations: Gareth is performing stand-up in Pottstown, PA, while Jake is heading to a family-friendly Vegas trip, full of somewhat questionable kid-appropriate activities (e.g., zip-lining, magician shows, “circus delay”).
• Quick detour about odd family vacations (Alaska, Arctic Circle), featuring Jake’s delight in sketchy situations that nearly terrify his family.

“We were in the Arctic Circle. Fire, dude." – Jake Johnson (03:37)

2. Introducing the Guest: Eric Edelstein

Timestamps: 04:42 – 07:37

• Eric is formally welcomed, praised as an “onion” character—“no deeper understanding…than the day I met him,” according to Jake.

“Nobody is a better example of being an onion than Eric. …I don’t have any deeper of understanding than I did on day one.” – Jake Johnson (05:07)

Call #1: Jackie the Ear-Cleaner & The Birth of the “Ear Spa”

Timestamps: 09:30 – 48:49

The Situation

• Jackie, a 34-year-old PA from Southern California, calls in with questions about patient boundaries and possible entrepreneurial opportunity.
• She describes her daily job cleaning ears—some patients find it so satisfying that they start making… unexpected noises.

“Some people who, clearly, really enjoy the ear cleaning process. Like, a lot. Like, a little too much, if you know what I mean.” – Jackie (12:56)

• The team quickly latches onto the idea of the ear as an erogenous zone (“widely known as a potent erogenous zone” – Jackie, 13:39), and Gareth and Jake riff on how she should respond—alternating between concern, comic discomfort, and entrepreneurial excitement.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Is earwax buildup something?” – Jake (11:18)
• “Do you want to do a telehealth appointment?” – Jackie, teasing Jake’s curiosity (11:41)
• “It’s like the pimple popping, there’s something…” – Jackie, on why people love seeing what comes out of their ears (17:44)
• After Gareth does an explicit moan:
  “That was just so you could do that?” – Jake, exasperated (14:39)

The Dilemma

• Jackie asks: How should I handle clients’ overenthusiastic reactions? Is there a professional way to respond to what may be borderline inappropriate pleasure from a medical procedure?
• She also floats the idea of a side business: “ear spa” with massages, hot towels, etc.

Brainstorming the Ear Spa Business

• Discussion morphs from “how do I set boundaries” into aggressively workshopping her potential new side hustle.
• Key idea: a soothing, spa-like in-home ear-cleaning and massage service, with options like hot towels, ear hair removal, soothing music, and a menu of services.

“What if you almost did, like, ear spa, where… hot towel on the ear… ear massage… happy earning is the wax removal.” – Gareth (24:36)

• Name suggestions: “Ear to Help” (Gareth), which is apparently available as a domain!
• Pricing and logistics are discussed. Eric offers advice based on his wife’s dog-grooming business: “If you can do this out of your house, cancel Christmas and I’m in.” (32:06)

Resolutions & Next Steps

• Jackie likes the idea of a hybrid business, both in-home and mobile for those unable to travel.
• The group even offers practical help: “We could maybe hook you up with [Squarespace]… We could talk about this in our ads.” – Jake (35:07)

Professional Boundary Advice

• On the original question—how to respond in the office? “Here, we gotta keep it a little bit [professional], but there’s a different service that you could have for that.” – Jake (43:54)
• Solution: Hand out a card with the ear spa website, redirecting anyone who seems a little too into the in-office experience to a more appropriate setting.
• “We have a great segue from the office to the ear spa with ear to help.com.” – Jackie (47:48)

Hilarious Detours & Notable Bits

• Gross ear-wax show-and-tell (18:01–18:56): “Is that an ear-waxed battery?!” – Gareth
• Eric and Gareth riff on being her first clients, with Eric vowing to suppress any groaning.
• Security: “If you want to stop them groaning, we’ll hire Eric; he can go there with his illegal switchblade and just flick it open.” – Gareth (43:10)

Call #2: Will the Taekwondo Crossroads (“The Master Appears”)

Timestamps: 48:54 – 74:22

The Situation

• Will, 33, from Lancaster, PA, is a 6th degree black belt in Taekwondo, wrestling with whether to continue, take a break, or push to the next “Master” level (requires 6 more years).
• Context: Has taught, competed internationally, mentors, but is disconnected from his master and “lineage.”

Key Discussion Points

• Will feels a responsibility to the next generation, but the time, energy, and next steps weigh on him.
• Feels pressure from elders in the community (“a local master asked: ‘William, what season of your practice are you in?’” – 54:43)
• Concerns about burnout, life balance, and whether to formally retire or pause.

Advice & Debates

• Jake argues for endurance: “You’re at mile 21, just finish the race. And once you get that master… you don’t have to become a grandmaster.” (61:35)
• Eric (and Gareth) argue a voluntary break: “Maybe part of becoming a master is taking that break first to figure out other things in life… the break will be crucial…” (60:44)
• The 6-year timeline to Master status is a surprise for Jake (“Oh, six more years? That changes my pitch.” – 64:09)

Community Solution

• The group proposes sending out a “bat signal” to the podcast community—maybe there are future Taekwondo students in Will’s area who want a teacher, which could reignite his passion.

“Let’s see if fate can get involved here, because I think if you started teaching somebody, it would fire you up again.” – Jake (68:10)

Philosophical Notes & Fun Facts

• “When the student is ready, the master will appear. That’s the smartest thing I ever just said.” – Eric (67:43)
• Willie Nelson is a Taekwondo master (64:14), Elvis was a fifth-degree black belt (72:33).
• Eric sidetracks with an anecdote about almost becoming a Japanese TV star as a kid, but chose “normal life” instead and rediscovered acting on his own terms. Message: Take a break to find your passion.

Wrap-up

• Will is open to the community outreach idea: “See if there’s anybody out there you want to just teach as your love letter to Taekwondo…” – Jake (71:32)
• Everyone agrees: no snap decisions, let the process play out, and be wary of questionable local “masters” named after the hosts.

Notable Quotes

• “Nobody is a better example of being an onion than Eric. …I don’t have any deeper of understanding than I did on day one.” – Jake Johnson (05:07)
• “Some people who, clearly, really enjoy the ear cleaning process. Like, a lot. Like, a little too much, if you know what I mean.” – Jackie (12:56)
• “Do you want to do a telehealth appointment or maybe…” – Jackie teasing Jake (11:41)
• “If you can do this out of your house, cancel Christmas and I’m in. Not a bit. I’m coming over. I will pay.” – Eric Edelstein (32:06)
• “When the student is ready, the master will appear. That’s the smartest thing I ever just said.” – Eric Edelstein (67:43)
• “You’re at mile 21, just finish the race. And once you get that master… you don’t have to become a grandmaster.” – Jake Johnson (61:35)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|------------------| | New Year’s Plans | 00:44 – 07:30 | | Eric Edelstein’s Onion Status | 04:42 – 07:37 | | Jackie’s Call: Ear Cleaning & Ear Spa | 09:30 – 48:49 | | Gross Earwax Show-and-Tell | 18:01 – 18:56 | | “Ear to Help” Spa Discussion | 24:36 – 44:05 | | Will’s Call: Taekwondo Crossroads | 48:54 – 74:22 | | Mastery vs. Taking a Break Debate | 60:44 – 66:57 | | Community Outreach Solution | 68:10 – 73:09 |

Episode Tone & Style

• Conversational, playfully irreverent, and honest. The hosts riff constantly: jokes undercut seriousness, but empathy and actual advice are always present.
• Unabashedly personal: stories about family, personal failures, weird work experiences all populate the advice.
• Warm and collaborative: Even detours and bits lead to genuine solutions (“Let’s see if fate can get involved…”).

Summary Takeaway

This episode perfectly encapsulates the unique “almost qualified” advice style of We're Here to Help: through banter, bits, and unlikely business pitches, real support and ideas are delivered—with just enough friendliness, humility, and absurdity to make you feel like you’re hanging out in the world’s most entertaining group chat.

For listeners:

• If you’ve ever had a question about professional boundaries or starting a left-field spa, this one is for you.
• If you’re at a crossroads between mastery and moving on, the gang will give you options, validation, and maybe a weird anecdote about Elvis or Japanese TV.

And if you need an ear cleaning… well, Jackie’s about to start taking appointments.