Bonus: S1 Caller, Corrine Norris, Send Off & Re-Release

Summary

Podcast Summary: We're Here to Help – "Bonus: S1 Caller, Corrine Norris, Send Off & Re-Release"

Host: Headgum
Date: June 26, 2026
Notable Voices: Jake Johnson, Gareth Reynolds, Jesse Thurston, Kevin, Corinne Norris (Caller)
Main Theme:
This bonus episode serves as a tribute and send-off to Corinne Norris, a memorable caller from season one, who shared her charming, bold, and touching journey of dating while battling cancer. The hosts revisit Corinne’s original calls, offer updates, reflect on mortality, humor in hardship, and celebrate her life and legacy within the show’s community.

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Episode Overview

The episode is structured as both a heartfelt update and a replay of Corinne’s original call(s). The hosts announce Corinne’s passing, read a touching email from her friend, and reflect on the meaning she brought to the podcast. The majority of the episode re-airs her season one segment, which candidly and humorously explores her attempts to date while dealing with rectal cancer. Additional follow-ups track her journey toward remission and her unfiltered approach to life and love.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Tribute and Update on Corinne Norris (00:22–12:09)

• Announcement of Passing: The episode opens with solemnity as Gareth reads an email from Corinne’s friend updating the hosts on her death at age 30 after a long, brave fight against cancer.

  “On June 20, Corrine laid down her shield and passed away surrounded by her friends and family. She was 30 years old.” (Gareth Reynolds via friend’s email, 01:14)

• Remembering Corinne:
  • The hosts recall Corinne’s humor, especially her “ass cancer” jokes and unapologetic openness.
  • Her unique outlook is highlighted: she made an Instagram called “AskCanceror” to document her journey.
  • She requested her funeral be a high-fashion black tie event, showing her flair and mischievous spirit.

    “The irony of making the event a pain in the ass.” (Co-host, 03:24)

• Legacy and Lasting Impact:
  • The hosts muse on the importance of making end-of-life celebrations unique and meaningful, riffing on Instagram stories and humorous will stipulations.
  • The sense of community formed around the show and by callers like Corinne is celebrated.
• Reflections on Mortality:
  • Gareth shares a dream about death that left him feeling optimistic about what comes after (“where we are going might be excellent”). The discussion meanders into psychedelic experiences, the meaning of legacy, and living in memories.

Notable Quotes:

• “Let’s all make our celebration of lives as ridiculous and difficult to people as possible in everybody’s will.” (Gareth Reynolds, 03:28)
• “She had such a good sense of humor about it… 30 years old is just so young.” (Gareth Reynolds, 05:48)
• “If Gareth’s ayahuasca trips and my dreams are anywhere near what’s going to happen, we will see you soon, and we love you and we thank you, and we’re hoping you’re in a wonderful place.” (Jake Johnson, 11:41)

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Replay: Corinne’s Original Call & Follow-Up (12:15–33:06)

First Call (12:15–22:35): Dating While Battling Cancer

• Corinne’s Introduction:
  • “I’m 27, and I’ve been single for a few years. I was really looking forward to living in Chicago and finding love, but instead, I found cancer.” (Corinne Norris, 12:57)
• Details of Her Journey:
  • Diagnosed with rectal cancer, candid about both the struggle and comedic potential.
  • Outlines her treatment stages: chemotherapy, radiation, then surgery.
  • Remains upbeat: “Loads of jokes to unpack, that’s for sure.” (13:53)
• Dilemma:
  • How to approach dating and romance while dealing with an ongoing, serious illness.
  • Specifically wonders when or if to disclose her diagnosis to potential partners.
• Host Advice:
  • Jake and Gareth stress she owes no explanation to early dates, recommend having fun without pressure.
  • “You don’t have to tell everything right away… The specifics are part of nobody’s business the first few months and weeks of a relationship.” (Jesse Thurston, 17:20)
  • Kevin reassures: “You can just be yourself… I don’t think that’s something you need to get off your chest right away.” (18:12)
  • Advice to focus on her own happiness, and when (if) things get serious, then reveal more.
  • “Until you’re out of the mess a little bit… do whatever makes you happy.” (20:18–21:11)
  • Corinne appreciates hearing a male perspective:

    “I needed some male perspective.” (21:43)

First Follow-Up (23:01–27:53): Remission & Moving Forward

• Update on Health:
  • Corinne reports being post-surgery and now cancer free: “I am. I had a tumor resection in November…just return to normal life.” (23:42)
• Sex & Dating Progress:
  • She put herself out there but still hadn’t “gotten laid.”
  • Pursued a friend who knew her situation. While it didn’t turn romantic, she felt empowered:

    “When your own mortality comes into play, nothing really matters anymore… I was proud that I did that because that was normally not my vibe.” (24:57–25:32)

• Hosts’ Support:
  • They highlight her healthy attitude and encourage her to keep at it with the new YOLO approach:

    “You are cancer free and you are ready to mingle…from 28 to 30, let’s just go fucking nuts.” (26:38–27:19)

Final Check-In (27:53–32:44): Breaking the “Dry Spell”

• Addressing Intimacy Gaps:
  • Corinne is candid about not having had sex in two years, wonders if this is a stigma or “a thing.”

    “I haven’t had sex in two years…if I’m putting that on myself, if anyone actually does give a fuck, you know?” (28:03–28:29)

  • Kevin assures:

    “Nobody gives a fuck...What’s your worry? That you forgot how to fuck? You didn’t, trust me. Believe me, you haven’t. It’ll be fine.” (28:29)

  • Jake adds humor:

    “It's like being ridden by—it's like you're the bicycle. The person on top of you will still remember how to ride the bike.” (28:36)

• Discussion of Gender Dynamics:
  • The hosts debate whether men’s sexual “hiatus” carries different connotations than women’s; Corinne responds honestly about her experiences, feeling “like a badass.”
• Encouragement to Embrace New Beginnings:
  • “Don’t create obstacles…these are non obstacles. You are 100% in the clear.” (Jake Johnson, 29:45)
  • “I also think it’s a hot thing to say to go, ‘I gotta be honest with you, I haven’t had sex in two years.’” (30:22)
• Final Farewell:
  • The hosts and Corinne wrap with mutual affection and encouragement, jokingly asking her to report back once she “breaks the seal.”

    “Let us know. We want you on. We want to hear the story, good, bad, or indifferent…when that two year curse is lifted!” (Jake Johnson & team, 32:44)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “She hilariously referred to it as ass cancer.” (Friend’s email, 00:40)
• “Her initial question…was essentially if when she should disclose to her dates that she was battling cancer because she was worried it would get in the way of her getting laid. I’m thrilled to say that she did get laid.” (Gareth Reynolds, reading friend’s email, 01:59)
• “It really is an opportunity for one last bit.” (Co-host, 04:16)
• “It’s such a great call.” (Jake Johnson, 03:27, about Corinne’s funeral fashion request)
• “The show is a choose your own adventure. We’re being shaped by who calls in and what people say and what happens.” (Jake Johnson, 10:51)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:22–04:16: Email tribute and announcement of Corinne’s passing, sharing details about her character and send-off.
• 04:16–07:24: Reflections on legacy, grief, and making life celebrations unique.
• 07:24–11:57: Philosophical musings on mortality, afterlife, ayahuasca, and community.
• 12:15–22:35: Replay: Corinne’s first call – dating while battling cancer, hosts' advice.
• 23:01–27:53: Follow-up call – cancer remission, more on dating confidence and “YOLO” attitude.
• 27:53–32:44: Discussion about resuming intimacy, societal views on “dry spells,” and closing encouragement.
• 32:44–33:06: Goodbye and appreciation for Corinne, plus a request for a future update.

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Tone & Language

• The episode balances heartfelt sincerity, dark humor, and supportive candor. Corinne’s openness sets the norm for gritty honesty punctuated by jokes—a spirit echoed and amplified by Jake, Gareth, and the team.
• Both hosts and caller lean into a blend of irreverence and empathy, using humor as a way to process, accept, and even poke fun at hardship and loss.

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Summary Takeaway

This episode is a moving tribute to a community member who exemplified honesty, courage, and wit in the face of adversity. By revisiting Corinne’s story, the hosts show the power of humor, vulnerability, and human connection. Anyone going through hardship—or just facing the realities of dating and life—will find comfort, laughs, and maybe a little inspiration from Corinne’s legacy and the unfiltered camaraderie of the “We’re Here to Help” team.

Transcript

[Jake Johnson]

And we are back.

[Gareth Reynolds]

This, as you know, is a unique drop. This is going to be on Friday, I believe, and it's a season one caller update. That's sad.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

Yeah, it's our worst update for sure.

[Gareth Reynolds]

But I wanted to read the email that I got from a dear friend of a season one caller and that's it that we're going to replay her call. I believe there's also a follow up and this is just a shout out to sweet Corinne. Hi Jake and Gareth. I'm reaching out with an update on one of your season one callers, Corinne. She was on episode 15, Dougie McBuckets. She had called in asking for help on how to navigate dating while battling cancer. She hilariously referred to it as ass cancer. She even made Instagram called Ask Canceror to document her journey. If you want, take a look at her page. It'll give you the best view of the kind of person she was. I wish this update was happier, but knowing how excited and starstruck she was to get the opportunity to talk to you both, I felt obligated to reach out on her behalf. She is who introduced me to your pod and I've been a listener since day one because of her. I've been a New Girl fan for years, so it was easy to love this podcast. On June 20, Corrine laid down her shield and passed away surrounded by her friends and family. She was 30 years old. After three failed clinical trials, she had moved from the Chicago burbs to Pennsylvania to be closer to the rest of her siblings and family and begin her care. And she took a turn for the worse after developing blood clots in her lungs where the tumors had been spreading. Her initial question to you both was essentially if when she should disclose to her dates that she was battling cancer because she was worried it would get in the way of her getting laid. I'm thrilled to say that she did get laid.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

That's the good news.

[Gareth Reynolds]

I mean, sure is Gareth. I know it's a long shot, but her celebration of life is June 29th in Warrington, Pennsylvania. She'll be doing, we will be doing an open mic of sorts from 6:30 to 10:30. She would her angel wings if you showed up. However, I know it's incredibly short notice and that both of you are working, so please don't feel pressure to do so. I'm linking the Evite to her send off below. We have a website dedicated to her, linked in the info of the invite and even if you just took the time to read about her, which I already have. That would mean the world to her. She requested a black tie event where we are all dressed in our absolute best, the most dramatic ensemble.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

The irony of making the event a pain in the ass.

[Jake Johnson]

It's such a great call.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Truly, I love this. The better think Princess Diana level. Morning. Corinne was a fashionista through and through. Just a shout out to our, to Corrine and to everybody else. Let's all make our celebration of lives as ridiculous and difficult to people as possible in everybody's will. Right now, everybody make a list of things people have to do. Because I saw a great thing on Instagram of a guy crying because his best friend had died. And he was in a light green miniskirt dress, tube top. And it said, they said if one of us dies before the other one, the other one has to wear a mini skirt tube top to the. To the funeral.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

It really is an opportunity for one last bit.

[Corinne (Caller)]

It is.

[Gareth Reynolds]

And one last word till you get to, like, mess with your friends.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

Yeah.

[Gareth Reynolds]

So, Corinne, thank you. As a community, we will always now push that forward. That is an agenda we will not stop. I'm also attaching a TikTok we made on craft night where we took our favorite Nick Miller quotes and made some home decor. Her quote encompasses her reaction to being diagnosed with stage four cancer and perfectly depicts her life philosophy and how she approached the next few years of care. Natalie or Jesse, can you please attach that TikTok to this? Thank you for contributing to making her life what it was. Then the Corinne send off. And that's it. J. Yeah.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

I mean, when you sent that email, it was. It starts. I was like, please. And then obviously it goes dark. But it's also.

[Kevin]

It says I.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

It's funny because I do remember her. And the idea of a black tie event and all that does not seem out of character even for our short time just chatting with her. It's also. It says a lot about the world here that we're having a somber moment on an episode called Dougie McBuckets. But. But no, I mean, yeah, you know, I mean, she had such a good sense of humor about it and 30

[Gareth Reynolds]

years old is just so young.

[Kevin]

It's crazy.

[Gareth Reynolds]

I re.

[Jake Johnson]

Listened.

[Gareth Reynolds]

She's so funny and it's so sad because she was talking about how everything was looking positive and her body was responding. So, yeah.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

Her follow up was, like, optimistic.

[Gareth Reynolds]

And so you just go to like. It's just. What a nightmare.

[Kevin]

Yeah, it.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

There's no other way to put it.

[Gareth Reynolds]

So just as to Corinne, I am a Believer that when you pass, your energy is somewhere. I had a really crazy dream in Costa Rica. Just a really weird out and where I was dying and I could feel my energy or my soul or whatever you want, leaving. And I was kind of halfway out of my body and the immensity of what I was entering was so exciting that I was genuinely thrilled. I was like, holy sh. It was like everything times a hundred. And I thought, but once I go, I am going to totally forget about all this because it's just too immense. And I thought, but my family, my friends, it just doesn't seem like the right time.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

But the show.

[Gareth Reynolds]

I didn't think of the show. But you were part of the friends.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

I'll take it.

[Gareth Reynolds]

But it was the first time that I thought where we are going might be excellent.

[Kevin]

You just.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

That is.

[Kevin]

There you go.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

That's a. That's a version of what ayahuasca is.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Oh, really?

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

Yeah, there's this. That's exactly. That's kind of it. I mean, it's different for everyone, but that is sort of part of it.

[Kevin]

It's kind of that. That. Because there's.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

When you think about the way we view life and existence, we have this, you know, this endless quest to live forever. Some people in society and we feel like life is finite and you know what we're battling for these whatever 70 years or whatever our average is and. But you know, I think that's. It's non specified religion in the sense that it's like there's maybe more.

[Kevin]

And if there is, I could see

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

it being better than like, there's Arby's

[Gareth Reynolds]

on every corner as well as this just becomes nothingness. And we're all part of that.

[Jesse Thurston]

So we will all be there.

[Gareth Reynolds]

We won't remember, like, do you remember that day I regretfully said that joke about your jeans? It's like, well, none of this matters. But what that felt like for the first time. I was like, if that's reality, if that's what's going to happen, okay, yeah, J.K. j. J.K. j's not scared of that.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

That's.

[Gareth Reynolds]

If there was Gareth. If there's golden arches and a dude with a list, I'm scared of that.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

That I worry about for sure. And they're like, I mean, I'll have a lot of stuff to.

[Kevin]

I'll be like, yeah, you're right.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

It'll be like being in an argument with like a spouse, by the way.

[Gareth Reynolds]

I'll walk in there, they'll show me the list and I'LL go like, I don't think I'm getting in. And then if hell is the way they said I'm like, with my body type, especially because I'm always going through a heavy stage. I can't deal with that heat.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

Saying especially that I'm always going through a heavy. By the way, you just encapsulated my POV on my.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Well, because, Gareth, here's the truth. I. My body type is lead singer of a rock band from the seventies. I should be. I should basically be falling out of ladies jeans. That's my natural body fit.

[Jesse Thurston]

I should look my shirt up, have a crop top.

[Gareth Reynolds]

And you're not only seeing core muscles,

[Jake Johnson]

you're seeing, like, veins.

[Gareth Reynolds]

You're like, I should look like Iggy Pop then. And not the what. Not what Eric Adelstein likes.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

I really do think that it's the. The finer point of what you're saying is how I feel. And it's like, I remember the first time I did ayahuasca. My grandmother had died like a week before. I was flying to England for the funeral, and I did ayahuasca on the Sunday, flew to England on the Monday.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Crazy.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

And the way I felt on the Saturday about the funeral was so different as how I felt on the Monday. And the way that I was sort of counseling my mother through it was similar to this, where I'm like, she's here, she's here.

[Kevin]

People live in memories.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

You know, you go back to the galactic soup, it gets a stir and

[Gareth Reynolds]

then you're going, wait, Jesse, I was just talking to Gareth. Wait, hold on, hold on. I have to go back to it really fast because we were finishing a Zoom. Okay, sorry, sorry.

[Jake Johnson]

I gotta go, I gotta go.

[Gareth Reynolds]

We're finishing.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

This is the problem with sharing a Zoom account.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Hold on, hold on. This is hilarious. And this is all these.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

I gotta record, though, because it stopped letting me record. Hold on. Okay, Part two.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Okay. In hilarious news, we got cut off because Jesse got on the Zoom. So we are not going to finish the story. What we are going to say is, Corinne, we love you. We thank you so much for calling and being part of our show. The callers are the show. It is a choose your own adventure. We are being shaped by who calls in and what people say and what happens. And. And Corinne, early on, you are our first real call. You were the first call where after Gareth and I had to process it and talk and go, everything we said, we do. Mean, if a woman has cancer, you don't have to say that on A date. If a guy says that you should be able to get laid, it's not contagious. And so thank you for sharing your story with this community. If Garrett's ayahuasca trips in my dreams are anywhere near what's going to happen, we will see you soon, and we love you and we thank you, and we're hoping you're in a wonderful place, Gareth.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

Well put. Co signed.

[Gareth Reynolds]

And with this episode, without any ads, we can truly, for the first time, say that without further ado, but we

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

are brought to you by Squarespace.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Hello.

[Kevin]

Hello there. How are you?

[Corinne (Caller)]

I'm great. How are you?

[Kevin]

Really good, thank you. You're on. We're here to help. You're with Jake Johnson and Gareth Reynolds. Can we get your name, your age, and where you're calling from? And then we'll figure out how to solve a huge issue for you.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Yes, my name is Corrine. I'm 27, and I am calling from the Chicagoland area.

[Kevin]

Karim.

[Jesse Thurston]

What.

[Kevin]

What. What's. What is your issue today? Why don't you tell us what's going on, and we'll try to figure out what we can do for you, if anything.

[Corinne (Caller)]

I hope you guys can figure it

[Kevin]

out, because I promise nothing. Read. Read the fine print on the email. We promise very little.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Okay. So I'm 27, and I've been single for a few years, and I was really looking forward to living in Chicago and finding love, but instead, I found cancer. My life is. Yeah, yeah. Really, really crazy. And I've just been figuring out how to navigate dating and finding a partner while also, you know, trying to stay alive.

[Jake Johnson]

Wow.

[Jesse Thurston]

Well, first of all, I'll speak for us. All three of us were really sorry about that.

[Gareth Reynolds]

And then do you mind if I

[Jesse Thurston]

ask you some questions about the cancer so we can get a picture of where you're at and anything you're not comfortable?

[Corinne (Caller)]

Yes. Oh, my gosh. I'm an open book. Ask anything.

[Jesse Thurston]

I love it. What type of cancer do you have and when was it diagnosed?

[Corinne (Caller)]

Okay, rectal, so that's sexy. I was diagnosed in January after a colonoscopy where we all thought it was just gonna be hemorrhoids or something, which turned out to be a tumor, unfortunately. But it's not that sexy of a cancer. But there's loads of jokes to unpack, that's for sure.

[Jesse Thurston]

And what. What has. What has been the process of it.

[Corinne (Caller)]

So it's kind of a whirlwind. One day you get a call, and then you get 7,500 appointments on your calendar. I've already finished chemotherapy and I am currently in the radiation stage. And then to end things up would be a surgery to remove the tumor. And then hopefully at that point I would be no evidence of disease.

[Jesse Thurston]

Okay, and how are the doctors feeling? What's the kind of. What's everybody. What are you hearing?

[Corinne (Caller)]

It's really positive so far. My body reacted really great to the cancer chemotherapy, so nothing but good signs so far.

[Kevin]

Okay, well, that I think, obviously. Yeah, I mean that, that sounds very difficult. It sounds like you said, I mean, whirlwind sounds like it is an understatement. Now, obviously it's very difficult position. But what is the. If you were to boil down the, the main problem that you would like us to give you advice on, what would that be? What is the exact question?

[Corinne (Caller)]

I guess I really want to know how to navigate dating and finding a partner when you have a lot of complex kind of life changing things going on. I feel like before I used to be like, oh, my parents are divorced, but now it's like I'm not quite as good a thing.

[Jesse Thurston]

Your laundry list of stories of like, well, I used to be like, this is now different. But here's my question. Are you looking for, when you say that, is it, are you, are you looking for advice on a partner? Are you looking for. Because you were saying you were in your 20s, you were excited to get to Chicago and date is part of it. You're just looking for a little bit of fun. Because I'll tell you what, somebody having cancer, cancer is not contagious. So it's not like if you were doing this same call and you had a contagious disease, I'd be like, that's going to be a pretty tough red flag. You can't catch cancer by hooking up with that.

[Kevin]

Do you, how do you feel? I mean, do you feel like physically, do you feel like you're. You're healthy enough to start dating?

[Corinne (Caller)]

I think physically for the most part, yes. But some days I could sleep 14 hours and some days I feel great.

[Kevin]

I'm not even trying to make a joke. Most days I could sleep 14 hours. So you know that I don't think that's anything that should nix you from dating. Well, this is a difficult one because of many reasons, obviously. But I think if you feel physically well enough to date, you should totally try. I mean, it might be a.

[Jesse Thurston]

But let me just ask, let me ask Gareth a question here as just a guy to guy for a second. If you Go on a first date with somebody that you meet on a app. You don't have to tell everything right away.

[Kevin]

No.

[Jesse Thurston]

So you don't have to lead out with, hey, I'm 27, I'm in the St. Charles area. I'm in Chicago for fun. I have rectal cancer. Totally erase that last part. And if somebody goes like, hey, where were you? We were going to get together on Wednesday and your symptoms are kicking your ass. You're allowed to say, I'm not feeling well today. And the specifics are part of nobody's business. The first few months and weeks of a relationship. You don't even know if you like this guy. And I can guarantee he's not telling you everything.

[Kevin]

I was just going to say you're not. You never reveal everything. I think, I think that's a really good point. Is that. Yeah. You just simply don't have to say it. You can just be yourself. I mean, for you, it's like obviously so life defining right now. But yeah, I mean, I don't think that's necessarily something you need to get off your chest right away.

[Jesse Thurston]

Unless. Unless you want to. Right. I think if you're in a situation where you feel what you want to do is bring it up, then you have. Obviously it's every. You have every right. But certain guys are going to be scared away from that simply because you think, well, this is a lot to deal with and I don't even really know this person yet. And a lot of guys are really immature and they're like, honestly, like, well, her, I think she's hot. This was fun. Even if it wasn't rectal cancer. If you said you get a lot of canker sores, a lot of guys are going to be like, dude, I can't put up with that shit. She gets canker sores.

[Kevin]

Rectal cancer, on the opposite. Like, I think, well, what are you. Are you looking for a relationship or you're just more excited to hook up?

[Corinne (Caller)]

I mean, I'm open to anything, but I would.

[Kevin]

Well, let me tell you. Let me tell you something. And this is the.

[Jesse Thurston]

If you go weird on a fetish for rectal cancer, I am cutting all of this.

[Kevin]

This is the beauty and the nightmare of men. Never underestimate a man's desire to get laid. I don't think there's something you. I think to you, you're like, this could be a huge turnoff. I think just like anything else, that potentially there are guys who are going to be like, not. Who are going to see that as a problem for whatever reason. I also think there's just going to be a ton of dudes who don't even give a shit when they find out. I think if you're looking to hook up, that is really. I think you're in a fine position to do that. If you feel physically okay to do it. I think you should just do what Jake said and just get out there now. If you're like, well, how. How do I meet guys in Chicago? I mean, that's its own pickle.

[Jesse Thurston]

So here's my in conclusion for you on this one, my two cents. Do whatever makes you happy. Early on in dates, I don't think you owe them anything. If you start falling for somebody, then you're an asshole to keep lying. If you. You'll know when a relationship starts to turn and you're getting out of that appetizer stage and you're entering the meal and at that point you gotta transition into the. I do have to tell you something. I'm sorry I didn't tell you on our first two dates. I didn't know how serious this was. But now that I'm having feelings. Blank, right. And then you can kind of confess where you're at. But early on you're allowed to goof around a little bit. And while you're going through something as hard as what you're going through, you're allowed to have a little bit of fun. And I would highly recommend you do whatever makes you happy in this stage. You know, until you're out of the mess a little bit.

[Kevin]

Yeah, I, I will echo that and say that anybody who would be advising you just in general during this phase would be like, it's important for your own physical and mental well being to live your life. So live your life. Do what you think you want to do.

[Jake Johnson]

Yeah.

[Kevin]

And you know, I would just for now, set up some dating profiles, make it about who you are, not what you're going through and see what comes your way. And then you'll be able to make those judgment calls as it evolves or develops in whatever way.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Yes. That's so great. I loved hearing what you guys had to say, especially from guys, because I feel like just talking to my girlfriends, I needed some male perspective.

[Jesse Thurston]

I think most of the men you're going to experience on a date aren't good. Some will. But the majority of the guys I think will be just fine to enjoy the date and not hear what's deeper going on in your life, but just connect on the fun level and Just go like, man, I had a lot of fun with her. And we didn't go deep. We didn't hear about all each other's problems. We just had fun.

[Kevin]

Yep. It's a good escape for you, too. I mean, this is on your mind so much. That's just a good way to just kind of get your head out of it, too.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Yeah.

[Jake Johnson]

All right.

[Jesse Thurston]

Thank you.

[Kevin]

Good luck, Corinne.

[Jake Johnson]

We'll be thinking of it.

[Jesse Thurston]

Go on, have a lot of fun.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Yes, I will. Go have some fun with some men.

[Kevin]

That's right.

[Jake Johnson]

Go have some fun with some men.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Hello?

[Jake Johnson]

Hey, Kevin, you want to intro this one?

[Kevin]

Yeah, go for it, Kev. Let's see what you could do. Why don't you try to host for a minute, Kev?

[Jake Johnson]

Okay, here I go.

[Kevin]

That's terrible.

[Jake Johnson]

Hey, caller, this is a follow up.

[Kevin]

We don't know who you are or

[Jake Johnson]

why you're calling, but can you remind the guys?

[Kevin]

Nice.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Yeah, yeah. I'll try to make this one really fun and light. I'm Corinne. I am the 27 now 28 year old who had, emphasis on had rectal cancer.

[Kevin]

Oh, yeah, we're trying to.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Yeah.

[Jake Johnson]

Corinne, it's in the past.

[Corinne (Caller)]

It is in this past. And I don't. And I don't want to say you guys heard it.

[Kevin]

Go ahead.

[Corinne (Caller)]

You guys have a positive testimony. We're here to help your cancer.

[Kevin]

You said it. We didn't say it. You said it.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Well, first of all, first of all,

[Jake Johnson]

walk us through where you're at. So when you say it's in the past year, out of the woods.

[Corinne (Caller)]

I am. I am. I had a tumor resection in November and thank you. So now I will just be scanned on a three to six month basis and just return. Return to normal life.

[Jake Johnson]

So now that we are out of the woods with cancer, which we are very happy about, you're part of our group, so we are glad. Now let's get to the important stuff.

[Gareth Reynolds]

Have the sex life.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

Yeah.

[Jake Johnson]

Because you didn't call in saying, no, help me cure cancer. Yeah, we, we. You said, how do I get back into the sexual swing of this with this. And we said, I don't think guys care.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

Yep.

[Kevin]

We were pretty clear.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Yeah.

[Jake Johnson]

And I was like, we also said, I don't think you need to tell anybody. Just, I don't think a guy's going to be like, wait a second. We had a wild 69 and I found out after you're battling cancer.

[Kevin]

You lied to me. Yeah, no, they were like a mistake

[Jake Johnson]

back that 13 minutes.

[Kevin]

So, so what is. What's going on now, Karen?

[Corinne (Caller)]

Well, unfortunately, I still haven't gotten laid.

[Kevin]

Sorry.

[Corinne (Caller)]

I'm working on it. I'm working on it.

[Jake Johnson]

So nothing happened with the men? What's going on there? This doesn't make sense.

[Corinne (Caller)]

No. Okay. But I. But I did put myself out there, which I was proud of, because I feel like when. When your own morality comes into play, nothing really matters anymore. So I think that has helped a lot with dating, because that's cool. There's no stakes. It's like. It's like if. If you put yourself out there and you get turned down. I was proud that I did that because that was normally not my vibe. But when you're like, yeah, really? You really just don't.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Anymore.

[Jake Johnson]

That's awesome.

[Kevin]

How have you been trying to meet people? What were the ways you. Because we were talking about setting up dating profiles and all that stuff. Have you tried anything outside of that?

[Corinne (Caller)]

Yes, yes. And I have had. I have dating profiles set up. But then the person I tried to pursue was actually a friend. So I. I went. I just went rogue. I just went complete. You said, how about keep it. Keep it normal? And then I decided to go after someone who knew everything about my. My current situation. So I just said yolo, that that person isn't interested in dating right now. Which is fine. And I didn't take it personally.

[Jesse Thurston]

Good.

[Corinne (Caller)]

But you just got it. You just got to risk it sometimes.

[Kevin]

Quite a time when you figured out how to beat rectal cancer. But dating is still eludes us. It really is. Says a lot about the state of the world.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Yes. That just goes to show modern, modern dating, the rectal cancer was the easy part. And now we're to the actual challenging bit.

[Jake Johnson]

And so where we're ending on this is that you at 28 years old have beat rectal cancer. You are cancer free and you are ready to mingle. And you got to see what happens because you went, look, you went through, what was it, about 18 months, this

[Corinne (Caller)]

whole ordeal, probably like a year.

[Jake Johnson]

A year. So that was a wild year. So like Covid, you get to erase that year. That was a year. That doesn't count on your record. So now you're starting over. And so now that you're cancer free, you've got a new attitude. And that new attitude is, as you say, YOLO, let's go for it. So I think from 28 to 30, let's just go fucking nuts.

[Corinne (Caller)]

That's what I'm thinking.

[Jake Johnson]

Yeah.

[Jesse Thurston]

I think you should know.

[Kevin]

Let me jump in ones and twos. No, I. What I was going to say also is that. Do that. And even though it seems you will find at some point someone who finds this story and this ordeal, like, so compelling and will value it, and until then, yeah, just enjoy yourself. Don't worry about it. But it. It, you know, I think at some point you'll find value in the fact that. And someone else will as well, you know.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Okay. And while I have you guys, I do have.

[Kevin]

We got to go. Corridor. Oh, no, go.

[Jesse Thurston]

Thank you so much for the call.

[Jake Johnson]

All right. No, no, go ahead.

[Corinne (Caller)]

No, because of this whole ordeal, like, it took up a year of my life and I would. Wasn't dating previously. I'm now like 28 and I haven't had sex in two years. And I feel like that's something people don't really talk about or it just feels kind of weird. And I just don't know if I'm. If I'm putting that on myself, if anyone actually does give a fuck, you know?

[Kevin]

Nobody gives a fuck. What's your worry? That you forgot how to fuck? You didn't trust me. Believe me, you haven't. It'll be fine. No man will notice.

[Jake Johnson]

It's like being ridden by. It's like you're the bicycle. Yes. The person on top of you still will remember how to ride the bike.

[Kevin]

Yes.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

And.

[Corinne (Caller)]

And it'll be just along for the ride.

[Jake Johnson]

At least. At least for the first three minutes of the first one. And then you get to go like, you're the bike.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

Yeah.

[Kevin]

You will really have. You guys. It'll be. Yeah.

[Jake Johnson]

And I'm going to tell you. I'm going to tell you another thing here. There's something really appealing to the majority of guys of going, it's been two years and nothing's happened. And you go, because I'm so goddamn sexy and cool that I am the guy. And you go, it's all been waiting for you. And the guy goes, like, of course. So this is, if anything, it's like,

[Kevin]

I would say a positive spelling point.

[Jake Johnson]

Wait, hold on. Gareth. It's way better saying, I haven't been with somebody in two years then I've been with 4200 people in the last year and a half.

[Kevin]

Well, by the way, neither would dissuade. Neither would dissuade. But it's great because it's basically like you get to try to get a layup against someone who just had MCL surgery and got the green light to start again. That's way better. They're gonna relish it and it'll. It'll work out.

[Jake Johnson]

This is a big win.

[Jesse Thurston]

You're.

[Jake Johnson]

You're in such a good zone. Here's what I gotta, here's what I gotta suggest as the premise of this. As we're in a bar just pitching to you. Don't create obstacles. Even that to you. This, you. This is a non obstacle. And I will say having rectal cancer while going on a dates to me is also. These are non obstacles. You are 100% in the clear. There's no. I haven't done this in two years. Who cares? Even if you said, I'm 28 years old and I've never kissed a guy, fine, yeah, these are non obstacles.

[Corinne (Caller)]

That's not. That's really good to hear.

[Jake Johnson]

But I also wouldn't be. I think if you're on a date, I also think it's a hot thing to say to go like, I gotta be honest with you, I haven't had sex in two years.

[Kevin]

Great.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

Yeah.

[Kevin]

I don't think I. Again, for the. There are, you know, there are many, many flaws within the male psyche. Among them is there will be no judgment on that. Sex will be sex.

[Jake Johnson]

I wonder if Garfin, this is a question to both you guys. If in reverse it is different. Like if, if you were on a date current and a guy said to you, I haven't had sex in two years, is that a bit of a turn off?

[Corinne (Caller)]

I. I have been with someone in the past who wasn't very sexually experienced. And it was definitely different because I feel like, at least in my sexual experiences as a woman, sometimes I find the driving force comes from the man. So I just feel like there was a little bit of a dynamic shift. But it wasn't, it wasn't a bad thing. I kind of felt like a badass.

[Kevin]

Now we're the men that listen. The upside of the downside to being the guy in the straight fucking is that you are in charge of the time. And unfortunately, that is on you. So if the time is great, hey, listen, you're with a pro, as they say. If the time is short, whoopsies, as they say.

[Jake Johnson]

The heavyweight fight was scheduled for 10 rounds, but it rarely goes to rounds.

[Kevin]

And then. And then a boxer knocked himself out before he got in the ring because

[Jake Johnson]

the other boxer did, like a really sexy, cute dance that was unexpected at the beginning.

[Kevin]

And the fight's canceled.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

The fight.

[Kevin]

There's no fight.

[Jake Johnson]

Well, as I was walking out, I didn't know the other boxer was going to have that song on and do that cool thing with their role and

[Jesse Thurston]

you just, you walk out, you get

[Jake Johnson]

to the ring, you turn around, you walk back.

[Kevin]

I have a concussion.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Oh, my God.

[Jake Johnson]

Couldn't be a more Gareth line in

[Jesse Thurston]

the history of Gareth line.

[Jake Johnson]

Karen, thank you for the call. We appreciate you. And all bits aside, congratulations on me, Cancer free. Congratulations.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Thanks, guys. Thanks so much. It was lovely, Chad.

[Jake Johnson]

And will you follow up again? And this is now just going to be creep. It's going to sound creeper than I intended. But will you follow up after you have broken the seal?

[Corinne (Caller)]

Yes, I would love nothing more.

[Jake Johnson]

So now we're pushing you, pushing you.

[Kevin]

We are invested in your story.

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

Let us know.

[Jake Johnson]

So we want you on. So get out there. I want. We want to hear the story, good, bad or indifferent. But we want to know what happens when that two year curse is lifted. Yes.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Okay. I. I will get. I'll get to work.

[Jake Johnson]

We appreciate you. Thanks for calling it.

[Kevin]

Wow.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Thanks, guys.

[Jake Johnson]

Bye, buddy.

[Kevin]

All right. Thank you. Bye.

[Corinne (Caller)]

Bye.

[Jake Johnson]

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@ HelpfulPod gmail.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.

[Kevin]

We're Here to Help is produced by Rabbit Grimm Productions, Executive producers Rob Hollis,

[Gareth Reynolds]

Jeff Porter and Natalie Hollis.

[Kevin]

Associate producer Jesse Thurston. Editing, mix and master by Chris Faller. Theme 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

[Co-host (possibly a producer or another regular contributor)]

on We're Here to Help is for entertainment purposes only and all listeners should

[Kevin]

be adults and make their own decisions.