Podcast Summary: We're Here to Help

Episode 261: Get In My Hole & Piano Time Is Piano Time

Date: February 16, 2026
Hosts: Jake Johnson & Gareth Reynolds
Platform: Headgum

Episode Overview

In this jam-packed episode, Jake Johnson and Gareth Reynolds tackle two standout listener calls that mix wacky life challenges with earnest advice. As always, the banter is rapid-fire, absurd, and good-hearted, with plenty of personal tangents and running bits. The title references both major calls: Madison, who needs help retrieving gear from a mysterious basement hole (“Get In My Hole”), and Sarah, who struggles with her piano teacher oversharing personal details during lessons (“Piano Time Is Piano Time”).

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Upcoming Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Appearance (00:46–10:14)

• Jake announces he, Lamorne Morris, and Hannah Simone will compete on Wheel of Fortune.
• Lamorne is conspiring to sabotage the show with jokes, worrying Hannah.
• Jake considers playing it straight to balance Lamorne's chaos but predicts things will spiral:
  • "I realized I’m going to potentially play it straighter, because you know how crazy, and everyone listening to the show knows how crazy Lamorne can get." (01:06)
  • Behind-the-scenes predictions of the taping, including inside jokes and mischief.
• Charity Angle: Jake pledges his $30,000 appearance fee to support a chimpanzee sanctuary, introducing future "show chimps" and a plan for the podcast community to sponsor chimpanzees together.
• Comic “dad”/“papa” banter about being co-chimp parents.

Notable Quote

"We are going to become chimpanzee parents together. How do you feel about it, dad?"
— Jake Johnson (06:15)

Timestamp Highlights

• 00:46–02:39: Wheel of Fortune antics preview
• 05:18–10:14: Chimp adoption announcement and hat merch tease

2. Listener Call #1: Madison’s Basement Hole Dilemma (15:33–37:12)

The Problem: Madison in Denver dropped her sister’s fly fishing gear down an 8–12 ft deep cistern in the basement, which everyone in the family likes to “just stare into.” How does she get it out before they notice?

Key Moments & Advice

• The hosts riff on the absurdity: “The amount of hours I would spend staring in that hole…” (20:04–20:11)
• Jake shares a real (and hilarious) story about being stuck in a similar hole in Peace Corps, lending empathy for Madison’s reluctance to go in herself (20:54–21:16).
• Solutions Pitched:
  • Cover it up and hope no one notices.
  • Don’t mention it, let the family discover it and react together.
  • Get a rock climber from a gym to retrieve the gear—make it a Denver community challenge.
  • Put up a humorous poster at climbing gyms, offering a podcast shoutout/prize for retrieval.
• Banter about crafting the perfect, not-too-creepy flyer:
  • "Looking for petite rock climber. This is like every dating profile on in Denver." (31:54)
  • Warns against using “get in my hole” as the email handle.
• Agreement: Invite Madison’s friend (a climber), or post flyers—offer to promote the gym.

Notable Quotes

“You need a rock climber with the right body type...with feet like a hand.”
— Jake Johnson (29:24)

“Needed: Rock climber not afraid of a challenge. Chance to be featured on We’re Here to Help.”
— Madison’s proposed flyer readout (34:08)

Timestamp Highlights

• 15:33–36:58: Madison’s problem and advice brainstorm
• 36:58–37:12: Madison’s busy schedule (acapella group, wig party), promise to put up flyers

3. Listener Call #2: Sarah’s TMI Piano Teacher (42:21–59:47)

The Problem: Sarah, 37, takes piano lessons from a teacher who won't stop oversharing about her sex life during lessons (which Sarah pays for) and even asks for medical advice.

Key Moments & Advice

• The lines are blurred: Sarah and her teacher are friendly, hang out at concerts (e.g., Nine Inch Nails), and have attended Friendsgivings together.
• The oversharing gets detailed: “I was the first person she told, immediately after she hooked up with her boyfriend." (48:28)
• Advice:
  • Reassert boundaries by focusing lessons around a challenging recital song, framing it as a competitive challenge (“My friends bet I can’t do it!”).
  • Suggest shifting personal talk to coffee/drinks outside lesson time.
  • Do not mention the podcast as the reason for the challenge.
• The hosts promise to feature her performance on their social media, raising the stakes (and hilarity).

Notable Quotes

“When it’s piano, it’s piano time.”
— Jake Johnson (50:13)

“You offer the social hang. Say, ‘Do you want to get a drink so we can actually have a catch up since we’re focused so much?’”
— Gareth Reynolds (53:42)

Timestamp Highlights

• 42:21–43:43: Sarah’s intro and background
• 46:51–47:53: Sarah improvises a “role play” of the weird lesson convo
• 51:38–56:38: Jake & Gareth’s boundary reset advice

4. Madison’s Follow-up: Mission Accomplished (60:30–78:13)

The Update: Madison returns with an incredible update—she made the flyer as advised, posted it in Denver gyms, fielded some “colorful” responses, and ultimately solved the problem with friends and a rope ladder.

Key Moments

• Madison reads the best/worst replies she received:
  • “I can go in your hole. I am thin with long arms and a rock climber. I would love to fill your hole...” (65:09)
• The rescue party: Madison, her climber coworker, and friends stage an operation with video/celebration to retrieve the gear.
• The team marvels at her execution, declares the flyer “poster-worthy” (62:45).
• Future follow-up: Madison hasn’t told her sister/brother-in-law yet—hosts urge her to come on with them for the big reveal.
• Acapella Bonus: Madison’s group (Green Drive Acapella) records a rendition of the show’s theme song as promised!

Notable Quotes

“We’re going to treat this day as a holiday. You guys are all going to get together every year and look back—enjoy yourselves and it’s just a good reason to get together.”
— Gareth Reynolds, on starting a new tradition (75:01)

“This is our first poster. I think this is legit.”
— Jake Johnson (63:22)

Timestamp Highlights

• 60:30–66:00: Flyer responses read-aloud
• 67:27–71:04: The retrieval adventure
• 75:00–75:36: Declaring "hole day" a new recurring holiday
• 75:59–76:47: Acapella theme song performed

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I did a Peace Corps at 18. I got stuck in a hole like that... Couldn't get out. Keep going."
  Jake Johnson’s real-life nightmare story, lending credibility and humor to the basement-hole advice. (20:49)

• “We all enjoy looking into the hole.”
  Madison’s understated delivery of her family’s weird hobby, instantly a running bit. (19:42)

• "Needed: rock climber not afraid of a challenge. Chance to be featured on We’re Here to Help."
  Madison and the hosts’ collaborative, tongue-in-cheek flyer (34:08)

• “My name is Sarah. I am 37...I have nothing cute or funny for you.”
  Sarah’s deadpan, awkward intro—riffed on for the whole call. (42:40)

• “If we solve this problem, will you—the group—sing our theme song, please?”
  Jake Johnson, making good on a classic “weird exchange” with a caller. (35:47)

• Acapella outro by Green Drive Acapella, an episode highlight (76:00–77:16)

Flow and Tone

The episode is signature "We're Here to Help": chaotic, playful, deeply empathetic, and laced with both sincerity and high absurdity. The hosts genuinely value their callers, encourage community participation (from rock climbers to acapella groups), and always lean into bits for humor (“chimp adoption,” “basement hole day,” “piano time is piano time”). Advice is rarely straightforward, with tangents and stories (like Jake’s Peace Corps hole debacle) enhancing both levity and relatability.

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|----------------| | Wheel of Fortune & Chimp Charity | 00:46–10:14 | | Madison’s Basement Hole Call | 15:33–37:12 | | Sarah’s Piano Teacher Oversharing | 42:21–59:47 | | Madison’s Follow-up: Hole Rescue | 60:30–78:13 | | Acapella Theme Song Debut | 75:59–77:16 |

Final Takeaways

• When facing the absurd & awkward, community and humor are assets: Whether navigating family secrets, basement holes, or intrusive piano teachers, the show champions win-win solutions, joyful collaboration, and kindness.
• Listener participation is real and rewarded: Madison’s adventure—from flyer to theme song—sets a high bar for future callers.
• The hosts’ boundary between bit and earnestness blurs intentionally: Tangents and personal stories (including some surprisingly poignant moments) drive toward creative, communal problem-solving.

Recommended if you:

• Love improv comedy, friendship banter, and genuine if occasionally unusable advice
• Enjoy community-driven storytelling and participatory entertainment
• Are seeking feel-good podcast energy mixed with wild personal anecdotes

Additional Resources

• To submit a question: helpfulpod@gmail.com
• Acapella theme by Green Drive Acapella
• Gareth’s upcoming film info: giveitupfilm.com
• For more episodes, video, or merch: Patreon.com/heretohelpod