Podcast Summary: "WEIRD Here to Help: Hester’s Got Her Groove Back & Crawl Space Nightmare"

We’re Here to Help – Episode 270

Air Date: March 13, 2026
Hosts: Eric Edelstein & Steve Berg
Guests/Callers: Hester (Virginia), Will (Philadelphia)

Episode Overview

This special Friday the 13th episode of "Weird Here to Help" finds Eric and Steve leaning into themes of superstition, resilience, and the joys (and perils) of helping others with truly bizarre life situations. Two thoroughly unique and engaging listener calls anchor the episode: Hester seeks help breaking out of a streak of bad luck and emotional malaise, while Will needs advice on what to do with his ex’s eerily lifelike, human-sized sculpture—currently stashed in his crawl space.

The episode is full of the hosts’ characteristic humor, pop culture tangents, and genuine empathy, blending the absurd with meaningful advice.

Opening Banter: Friday the 13th, Superstitions, and Horror (00:52–09:46)

• Eric and Steve riff on the superstition of Friday the 13th, mixing folklore, religion, and pop culture.
• [03:45] Steve Berg: “Show me one building in the United States that has a 13th floor.”
• The tradition is traced to religious and historical events—Last Supper, Knights Templar, etc.
• They segue into a loving discussion of the “Friday the 13th” movie franchise, specifically its impact and enduring appeal.
• Hockey masks, Canadian toughness, and rooting for Corey Feldman (and Ethan Hawke at the Oscars) get animated discussion.
• Candid talk about how seeing older people smoke feels like “winning at life,” but also that vaping is “worse” (08:17–08:30).

First Caller: Hester from Virginia – “Hester’s Got Her Groove Back” (13:18–36:22)

Introduction & Desert Island Picks (13:22–17:21)

• Hester introduces herself; Eric and Steve banter about her unique name and Virginia music trivia.
• Hester’s picks:
  • Movie: The Mummy (1999) (“…meets all your basic survival needs.”) [14:39]
  • Book: Collected Works of Rumi (transl. Coleman Barks) ("Every time you read it, you get something different out of it.")
  • Album: Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – The Boatman’s Call

Hester’s Situation – Burnout, Bad Luck, and “Hexes” (17:30–20:48)

• Hester starts 2026 feeling “hexed”—dumped amicably, rejected by her dream grad school, sick, and stuck indoors from a snowstorm.
• [19:19] Hester: “I was trapped in my house. I was sick, I was heartbroken, and my whole template for what my year was going to look like… just kind of went away.”
• She’s a healer by profession but feels depleted.

Hosts’ Advice – Reset, Self-Care, and Enchantment (20:48–24:42)

• Steve diagnoses it as a “Stella needs to get her groove back” moment.
• Eric urges active enchantment: “Enchant your life today… crank Nick Cave, burn some sage, have some me time, get the scallops…” [21:01–22:23]
• Both suggest intentional rituals (sage, Palo Santo) to “bid goodbye” to recent negativity.

Finding New Energy – Adventure, Hobbies, and Legend Tripping (22:53–35:06)

• Steve recommends a rejuvenating solo adventure, “a sojourn… find a hobby or interest that has nothing to do with work or making money.” [22:53]
• Hester loves nature, art, writing, music; wants to do more hiking and backpacking but hasn’t prioritized self-care.
• Sedona, Arizona, is pitched as the ideal destination:
  • Known for “vortex” energy sites, weird New Age culture, and stunning nature.
  • Hosts recommend going solo for maximum self-rediscovery and “embedding” in a different, folklore-rich environment.
  • Also mention Taos, NM (stay in Dennis Hopper’s house), and the value of collecting local folklore.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• [28:01] Steve Berg: “I’m not particularly into New Age stuff, but I love being around the ephemera and the people. Honestly, it’s like going to another planet.”
• [34:48] Hester: “I feel better just thinking about [the trip].”
• [35:25] Steve Berg: “I think the name of this episode is how Hester got her groove back.”

Resolution & Takeaways

• Hester commits to planning a Sedona trip, feeling energized and hopeful.
• She's tasked with sending a postcard and a trip update.
• The hosts urge self-compassion and adventure, riff on local food, folkloric tours, and solo travel.

Second Caller: Will from Philadelphia – “Crawl Space Nightmare” (38:31–58:32)

Introduction & Desert Island Picks (38:40–41:13)

• Will has a deep, radio-ready voice ("Voiceover’s big loss. You have an incredible voice.” —Eric, 38:52)
• Album: New Peaches album (So Rude)
• Movie: Before Sunset (“That’s Ethan [Hawke], your boy.” —Steve, 40:16)
• Book: Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory by Raphael Bob-Waksberg

Will’s Dilemma – The Ex’s Human Sculpture (41:19–43:40)

• Will’s ex, an artist, left a lifesize soft sculpture—eerily human, wrapped in plastic—in his crawl space after moving to a smaller place.
• The sculpture is a “self-portrait,” with molded hands, feet, and the ex’s face—now “kind of looks like a dead body.” [42:03]
• “[It’s] terrifying… If someone [opened the closet], they’re jumping out the window if they’re smart.” – Steve, 47:15

Hosts’ Reactions & Initial Advice (43:40–48:18)

• Eric: “As long as that sculpture’s in your home, you’re entrenched with your ex.”
• Is Will just storing it until the ex can take it? Yes, but it’s already been months.
• Steve: “Three months is generous! …Every inch counts.”

Solutions and Comics Relief (47:41–55:01)

• Eric & Steve brainstorm:
  • Suggested Will “lean into it” and display it (not wrap it up creepily).
  • If the ex’s face is an issue, decorate it with masks for holidays and local icons: “Elvis, Santa, Hanukkah Harry, Bryce Harper, Allen Iverson…”
  • Create rotating “costumes”—make it fun and harmless, rather than something that looks like evidence in a crime doc.
  • “[If left in the crawl space,] you’re going to have people cutting through your screen door to escape.” —Eric, 48:18

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• [49:38] Will: “So I wasn’t down for displaying it as is, but I think decorating it…that is a great idea.”
• Steve imagines dressing it as David Lynch, “with a nice black blazer, black tie, put an American Spirit in the fingertips.”
• Will and hosts riff with giddy energy about future possibilities—dressing it as Steve, Eric, Ethan Hawke, or local Philadelphia heroes.

Broader Takeaways & Resolution

• Will is encouraged to embrace the weird, celebrate the sculpture, and “honor” his ex’s art (and their friendship).
• Promises to send photos as the “outfit” changes seasonally or with local events.
• [51:14] Eric: “There’s a lot you can do here, Will. Honestly, I think the idea of hiding it because of dates…is something you lean into.”

Standout Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Steve Berg [03:45]: “Show me one building in the US that has a 13th floor.”
• Hester [19:19]: “I was trapped in my house. I was sick, I was heartbroken, and my whole template for what my year was going to look like… just kind of went away.”
• Eric Edelstein [21:01]: “Enchant your life, go out there, have some fun, have some me time...crank Nick Cave, burn some sage…”
• Steve Berg [28:01]: “It’s like going to another planet…full of deep weirdos. You will see a guy with a triangle on his head he’s had since 1979.”
• Eric Edelstein [47:18]: “[The way it’s wrapped up], it’s crazier than hell…people cutting through your screen door to escape.”
• Steve Berg [50:32]: “Even if no one’s looking in that crawl space, knowing that that thing’s in there, that’s one of the scariest pictures I’ve ever seen.”
• Eric Edelstein [56:04]: “We often—a thing we do on this is lean into it…we're gonna lean into this glorious piece of art.”

Key Moments & Timestamps

| Time | Segment | Notes | |-----------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 00:52–09:46 | Friday 13th/superstition intro | Folklore, horror movies, rooting for Corey Feldman | | 13:18–36:22 | Hester's call | Burnout, bad luck, finding magic and solo adventure | | 22:53–35:06 | Sedona trip brainstorm | Hosts suggest transformative adventure; folklore focus | | 38:31–58:32 | Will's call | Storing ex’s “dead body” art in a crawl space; what now?| | 47:41–55:01 | Display/decorate the sculpture | Bizarre, funny, community-celebratory suggestions |

Tone, Language, and Atmosphere

• Playful, irreverent, but deeply empathetic—hosts weave jokes with real advice.
• The show leans into the “weird,” encouraging listeners to own their quirks and odd situations.
• Advice is honest but always supportive: acknowledging pain, but steering towards joy, humor, and connection.

Final Takeaways

• For Hester: Adventures—especially in strange, magical settings—can be healing. Self-care isn’t selfish, and embracing one’s passions and “legend-tripping” is a legitimate way to reset.
• For Will: Hiding (literal or metaphorical) baggage doesn’t help; leaning into one’s story, with humor and creativity, makes life richer (and a lot less spooky).
• For Listeners: Life’s weirdness is best met with laughter, openness, and sometimes just a fresh coat of paint on your emotional “sculpture.”

End Note:
Listeners are invited to call in with their own problems—no matter how odd. “Weird Here to Help” will always offer the best (or weirdest) advice they’ve got, and a warm welcome to everyone who dares to join the fun.