Podcasts · Education

Weirdly Helpful (formerly The Best Advice Show)

Zak Rosen

300 episodes

Weirdly Helpful (formerly The Best Advice Show) is a short, weekly infusion of delightful, unexpected and strange ways to make life slightly and sometimes profoundly better. In each episode a different contributor offers an odd experiment, a silly ritual, a curious practice that you’ll find weirdly helpful. Stuff like howling when you're despondent, eating oranges in the shower and metaphorically flushing your adversary down the toilet!

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. Wedlocked with Hillary Frank

    · 22 min

    Weirdly Helpful is so excited to share an excerpt of Hillary Frank's suspenseful and bingeable new original audiobook, Wedlocked. GET IT HERE! --- Hillary Frank is the creator of The Longest Shortest Time, a popular…

  2. Introducing Heavyweight

    · 3:30

    If you're a longtime listener to Weirdly Helpful, you probably know that Jonathan Goldstein is my hero. He hosts what I think might be the best podcast of all, Heavyweight. Every episode starts with a real person and…

  3. The Power of No with Anna Holmes

    · 15 min

    Anna Holmes is an award-winning writer and editor whose work has appeared numerous publications, including the New York Times, The Washington Post, and The New Yorker. Her new book is The Power of No. Check out this…

  4. Pink Monkey at the Honky-Tonk with Laura Hawley

    · 16 min

    Laura Hawley is a Weirdly Helpful correspondent, artist and therapist, living and giving balls away in Philadelphia. What do you find Weirdly Helpful? Call me at 844-935-2378 THE WEIRDLY HELPFUL MERCH STORE!!!!…

  5. Try It 10 Times: A Playful Way to Unburden Yourself with Whitney Henry-Lester

    · 12 min

    In this episode, Whitney Henry-Lester shares weirdly helpful approaches to overcoming personal baggage through playful experiments like Tensies which you should follow here. --- What do you find Weirdly Helpful? Call…

  6. The Ground Space is Part of Your World Space with Katie Stone

    · 15 min

    Katie Stone is the host and producer of The Children's Hour radio show and podcast. They launched a new series of “Shorts”, featuring teensy engaging episode highlights from their award-winning programs paired with…

  7. When You Know You're Alone You Make Different Decisions with Margret Glaspy

    · 14 min

    Margaret Glaspy is a New York-based singer/songwriter. Her newest album, I Am Both, is essential. She might be coming to a town near you. --- Become a WH Patron and listen to the show ad-free. What do you find…

  8. I'm pretty sure there's a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking. A feed drop with That Aged Well!

    · 2 h 10 min · Explicit

    I love Zoolander so much. If you do too, you're gonna love today's episode which comes from the podcast That Aged Well. Come join hosts Erika and Paul as they re-experience this wild ride of a movie, filled with male…

  9. We Should Strategically Half-Ass Way More Things (or May The Bogan Be With You) with Steve Kamb

    · 14 min

    Steve Kamb is the founder of Nerd Fitness and the author of HOW TO TRY AGAIN. The book he referances is... Start Ugly: The Unexpected Path to Everyday Creativity by David duChemin -- This episode's archival cousin:…

  10. You Can't Make Anyone Love You + Yet Another Shenanigan!

    · 10 min

    Listener Clio called the Weirdly Helpline with her shenanigan and you should too @ 844-935-2378. Piper at the Gates of Dawn! | The Wind in the Willows | Full Episode -- Jan Worth-Nelson and Ted Nelson are writers…

  11. The Art of Shenanigans with Rebecca Garza-Bortman and a Legion of Weird Helpers

    · 25 min

    Rebecca Garza-Bortman is a designer, musician, writer, & mother living in Berkeley. This episode features WH listeners Julia, Lauren, Erica, Meredith, another Lauren, Katie and Mike. I never want to stop hearing your…

  12. Introducing Heavyweight

    · 3:30

    If you're a longtime listener to Weirdly Helpful, you probably know that Jonathan Goldstein is my hero. He hosts what I think might be the best podcast of all, Heavyweight. Every episode starts with a real person and…

  13. This is A Tangible Way to Fake It Till You Make It with Evangeline Garreau

    · 11 min

    Evangeline Garreau is a queer ADHD gemini and a creative project coach who accompanies artists of all kinds on their creative journeys, helping them get unstuck and put in the work to bring their visions into reality.…

  14. The World Is a Laboratory of Story Ideas with Mallary Tenore Tarpley

    · 15 min

    Mallary Tenore Tarpley is the award-winning author of SLIP and an assistant professor of practice at the University of Texas at Austin’s Moody College of Communication and the McCombs School of Business, where she…

  15. A Weirdly Helpful Travel Guide

    · 14 min

    Annie Sim is the CEO (Chief Eating Officer) of The Table Less Traveled Evan Stern is the host of Vanishing Postcards --- Help Zak continue making this show by becoming a Best Advice Show Patron @…

  16. A Weirdly Helpful View From Behind the Supermarket Register

    · 15 min

    Ann Larson is the author of Cleanup on Aisle Five: Essential Work, Poverty Wages, and the View from Behind the Supermarket Register. Her writing on education, debt, and low-wage work has appeared in The New Republic,…

  17. Why Do We Say "Um" So Much? with Dr. Steven D. Cohen

    · 16 min

    Steven D. Cohen is an award-winning professor, author, and coach who empowers you and your team to communicate with influence, inspire your audience, and achieve your leadership potential. Express yourself better with…

  18. Give All Your Attention To Whatever Is Annoying You with Sharon Mashihi

    · 17 min

    Sharon Mashihi is the creator of the serialized audio mindtrip Appearances. Her new project is available on Audible and called 30 Days To Rediscover Your Creativity . If you like today's episode you might like this…

  19. I Madly Love Anything That Breaks the Thread of Discursive Thought /// Surrealist Games with Laura Hawley

    · 12 min

    Zak's Weirdly Helpful guru, Laura Hawley, returns to play some surrealist games. She was last on the show talking about inventing play. A Book of Surrealist Games --- Come to How to Cut the Cheese: A WH Live Show!…

  20. How to Savor Your Summer Trip

    · 13 min

    Featured on today's show was... -Treat Yourself to Better Car Snacks with Ethan Frisch -Viscerally Remember Your Past Vacations with Tad Davis --- Join me for HOW TO CUT THE CHEESE, a Weirdly Helpful Live…

  21. Get Your Tickets for Weirdly Helpful Live on July 29th in Berkley, Michigan!

    · 1:10

    I want you to be the first to know about WEIRDLY HELPFUL live this summer on 7/29. It's a live show/dinner party and we're calling it...HOW TO CUT THE CHEESE. It's actually a dinner party ABOUT dinner parties and…

  22. Two Prospective Parents Wander in the Desert, Debating the Future

    · 20 min

    Today, in honor of Father's Day, a pod blast from the pod past...episode 1 of Pregnant Pause with Zak and Shira Meantime, send me your shenanigans at 844-935-2378! SHOP THE WEIRDLY HELPFUL MERCH STORE!!!! Become a…

  23. Try This Delightful Dinner Party Maneuver with Dan Heath

    · 18 min

    Dan Heath hosts What It’s Like to Be… In every episode, he interviews someone from a different profession: a mystery novelist, a couples therapist, a rancher, and more. He's also the #1 New York Times bestselling…

  24. Why Asking Weirder Questions is an Exercise in Accessing Dignity with Megan Saxelby

    · 15 min

    Megan Saxelby is an early adolescent parent coach and founder of Wild Feelings. Jesse Thorn hosts Bullseye and The Turnaround. --- What do you find Weirdly Helpful? Call me at 844-935-2378 THE WEIRDLY HELPFUL MERCH…

  25. How To Make Friends and Find Your People

    · 20 min

    Rabbi Alana Alpert advocates for bubbe adoption and spiritual engagement in Detroit. ADOPT A GRANDPARENT! Elizabeth Newcamp writes at Dutch Dutch Goose and Best Moms Friends Forever. -- Support the show and listen…

  26. Visit the Most Primal, Teenage Part of Yourself with Maggie Lyons

    · 14 min

    Maggie Lyons is a creative producer living in LA. Read her essay The Comfort Playlist of Teenage Faves™️. Listen to her nostalgia playlist here. Aaron's advice originally aired back in 2022. -- Support the show and…

  27. Bless the Phone with Ross Simonini

    · 20 min

    Ross Simonini is an interdisciplinary artist and writer. Read his essays Bless The Phone here and Through the Fire here. Check out his essential interviews with so many modern masters at The Believer! Noa on using our…

  28. Introducing: No Such Thing

    · 14 min

    I'm excited to share a preview of a new podcast I think you’d enjoy: No Such Thing. It's a show where three best friends and journalists settle their dumb arguments — and yours — by actually doing the research. Hosts…

  29. Navigating Domestic Administration with Clarity and Kindness

    · 11 min

    Shari and Eric are married with children in NYC. They were last on the show talking about touching feet during marital discord. More on SPOA - Lucy Anderton on graphing household labor and other weirdly helpful…

  30. Farting for Relief and Walking for Peace in Our Fragmented World

    · 17 min

    On today's episode, a family's post-dinner ritual and later Zak tells the improbable tale of Peace Pilgrim. Lucy, Gino and Avery fart walk in Miami, FL. Lucy co-hosts Slate's parenting show with Zak and Elizabeth…

  31. How Understanding Your Brain Chemistry Can Change Your Life

    · 20 min

    Mike Pesca is the creator and host of The Gist, the longest-running daily news podcast in history, moderator of Not Even Mad, a political debate podcast, and host of Funny You Should Mention, a co-production with the…

  32. How to Make it Work as a Young Artist

    · 21 min

    Cara Ryan is an academic living in Florida. --- Laura Weber Davis originally gave her cover letter advice back in 2023. --- Listen to WH ad-free by becoming a Weird Helper right now @ Patreon.com/weirdlyhelpful…

  33. Inventing Play & Three Ideas to Curb Self-Mutilation with Laura Hawley

    · 16 min

    Laura Hawley is an artist and therapist from Philadelphia. She's a frequent contributor to the show having first called about howling, then giving away 62 balls! Bob Newhart's Stop It Sketch from MAD TV. -- Call me…

  34. Play the Tape All the Way Through with Eric Zimmer + The Battle of Night Guy Vs Morning Guy with Jerry Seinfeld

    · 20 min

    Eric Zimmer is an author, teacher, speaker, and the creator of The One You Feed podcast—an award-winning show with over 50 million downloads across 800+ conversations exploring meaningful living. His new book is How a…

  35. The Transcendental Power of Wiggling with Toogie Barcelo

    · 23 min

    On today's episode, Toogie Barcelo shares her unique approach to movement, creativity, and emotional well-being through the power of wiggling! Toogie is a dancer, choreographer, movement director, certified breath &…

  36. 99 Ways to Die (and how to avoid them) with Dr. Ashley Alker

    · 18 min · Explicit

    Discover practical tips and surprising truths that can help you and your loved ones stay safe and informed with Dr. Ashely Alker, author of 99 Ways to Die: And How to Avoid Them and an emergency medicine physician on a…

  37. Why I'm Not Using the Word "Crazy" Anymore (and Why You Should Just Say What You Actually Mean) with Dessa Cosma

    · 21 min

    Dessa Cosma is executive director of Detroit Disability Power. Today she schools Zak on the importance of pride-forward language, especially around disability and shares practical tips on self-correction, evolving…

  38. This is How to Aura Farm Without Being Overly Cringe

    · 14 min

    Natalie and Jacob are sibling youths from Texas. --- SUPPORT WEIRDLY HELPFUL and listen to the show without ads by becoming a Patron today @ https://www.patreon.com/weirdlyhelpful Learn more about your ad choices.…

  39. Become a Receiving Station for Overwhelming Transmissions with Dr. Ramzi Fawaz

    · 14 min

    Ramzi Fawaz is an award-winning queer cultural critic, educator, podcaster, and public speaker. He is a Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and host of the podcast Nerd from the Future which…

  40. Stop Feeling Guilty About Your Guilty Pleasures with Fabiola Lara

    · 10 min

    Fabiola Lara is a Chilean-born, Florida-raised artist! She lives in flux of feeling simultaneously too American to be Chilean and too Chilean to be American, and is constantly navigating her identity as a white Latinx…

  41. This Insight WILL CHANGE YOUR RELATIONSHIP FOREVER! (For real for real).

    · 12 min

    Dedeker Winston is a co-host of Mulitamory, relationship coach, writer, and advocate for polyamory and non-traditional relationships. She is the author ofThe Smart Girl's Guide to Polyamory: Everything You Need to Know…

  42. Young Butt Cut Zak Confronts His Childhood Creative Monster with Lauren LoGrasso

    · 16 min

    Lauren LoGrasso is a multi-passionate creative with experience as a keynote speaker, creative coach and musician. She's the creator and host of Unleash Your Inner Creative. --- Become a Weirdly Helpful Patron and…

  43. Is Whistling Protected By First Amendment Rights? + An Incantation for Restoring Democracy

    · 15 min

    Audio from pt. 1 of today's episode comes from this YouTube live event presented by No Kings called Eyes on ICE: Document and Record. You can watch the whole thing here. --- No Kings Welcome to the Adopt a Day Labor…

  44. How Much Capacity Do You Have Today? with Bridget Thoreson

    · 13 min

    Bridget Thoreson is an award-winning journalist, executive, and creator of the Career River framework. Check out her Weirdly Helpful episode about floating down the career river. --- Listen to WH ad-free by becoming…

  45. Step Into the Slipstream of History and Get Jacked with Dr. Conor Heffernan

    · 12 min

    Conor Heffernan is Lecturer in the Sociology of Sport at Ulster University, UK, and Chair of the British Society of Sports History. His new book is When Fitness Went Global: The Rise of Physical Culture in the 19th…

  46. "Hey Buddy!" Let's Talk About Why You Feel Doomed with Andy J. Pizza

    · 11 min · Explicit

    Andy J. Pizza is a New York Times Bestselling author-illustrator of many books for children and adults such as "Invisible Things" and "A Pizza with Everything On It". Pizza is also the creator of the popular podcast…

  47. Resolutions Smesolutions! Ta Ta 2025.

    · 22 min

    Happiest and healthiest of New Years to you and yours! Thank you for listening. Love, z SUPPORT WEIRDLY HELPFUL BY BECOMING A PATRON RIGHT NOW. Todays episode features morsels from the following Weirdly Helpers...…

  48. How to Take Control of your News Diet with Rekha Murthy (PLUS: How much does Zak earn from Weirdly Helpful?)

    · 17 min

    Rekha Murthy is a podcast strategist with more than 25 years of experience in podcasting, public radio, and other digital media. SOURCES MENTIONED: -On Tyranny by Tim Snyder -You Need a Manifesto: How to Craft Your…

  49. Friendship Conflict, Grief Practices, Family Cookbooks, Guilt-Free Gift Giving and more with Zak on Michigan Public!

    · 20 min

    Zak went on Michigan Public's daily show Stateside to share some weirdly helpful end of year rituals and practices. He shares that segment today. Stateside covers what you need (and want) to know about Michigan. You…

  50. A Fun Alternative for Surviving Our Disastrous Times with Austin Kleon

    · 10 min

    Austin Kleon is a writer who draws. He’s the bestselling author of Steal Like An Artist and other books - Austin's essay on Meeker's work, The Comedy of Survival. Ann Friedman (@AnnFreidman) is the co-author Big…

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