Help Wanted

The show where comedians Valerie Nies and Regina Soto seek advice they'll likely never take. They scan the self-help aisle weekly and occasionally interview experts who know more about all things the wish they knew a little about.

HW100: The End, Probably 04/24/2018

HW100: The End, Probably After 2 1/2 years, Help Wanted calls it quits. Valerie and Reggie share their favorite moments, why it's okay to end something even when nothing sucks, and what they've learned from the podcast. They leave the door open to possibly doing future episodes if there's a reason and schedules allow. In the mean time, it was a blast. Thanks for listening, vageenas! /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/6492407

HW99: Loneliness, professional cuddling, with Wyatt Tall 04/10/2018

HW99: Loneliness, professional cuddling, with Wyatt Tall Wyatt Tall joins Help Wanted again! This time to talk about professional cuddling and touch starvation, which is an actual, real-life problem. There's a whole industry of professional cuddlers who some enlist to eliminate their skin hunger. Skin hunger is also a real life thing that sounds awful. We talk about how these ideas relate to loneliness, how we feel about cuddling, and Reggie coins the term "emotional jazz hands," which is fun. Plus Wyatt isn't really a fire extinguisher kinda guy, and Valerie and Reggie are binge eating pretzel bread and cookie butter. This episode is sponsored by Hunter boots and high school Rodan + Fields salespeople. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/6461167

HW98: Meditation w/Ryan Gamble 03/27/2018

HW98: Meditation w/Ryan Gamble Ryan Gamble joins Help Wanted once again, this time to chat about meditation in the Buddhist-style. We all know meditation is good for you, and Ryan let's us know the benefits she's noticed in her own life. Her gray matter is off the hook. Valerie pipes in a bunch to remind people that anything can be meditation: washing dishes, watching makeup tutorials, et al. Both Reggie and Valerie could for some tiny, little riblets. SPOILER: Applebee's no longer sells them and that's why millennials are pissed. Sponsored by Chipotle and the People Who Lick Their Fingers When Trying to Separate Sheets of Paper. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/6411236

HW97: Opinions with Jo Chauvin 03/13/2018

HW97: Opinions with Jo Chauvin Jo Maraschino, aka Reggie's freighbor (friend + neighbor) joins us to talk about opinions. Everyone's got 'em and with social media, we're constantly bombarded with them. Hot takes galore. Reggie loves a beef rib, even if they're expensive and Valerie's missing some tator tots. This episode sponsored by Libritto, for when you're in a sexual drought and also feel like eating a snack, now at Taco Bell. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/6359223

HW96: Balance 02/27/2018

HW96: Balance How can we be more balanced? Why do we suck at work life balance? Americans are terrible at it. Valerie goes through most countries on the planet and gives Reggie numbers on who's the most balanced. It's the numbers episode! Regina loves small things and has tips for being your best balanced self. Plus Oscar flicks and HR people are the worst. Sponsored by Ammon, a guy you went out with years ago and still follow on Spotify, and Jamba Juice, for when you like the idea of a smoothie but prefer the taste of Yellow No. 5. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/6305170

HW95: Matchmaking w/Rob Chenoweth 02/13/2018

HW95: Matchmaking w/Rob Chenoweth Rob Chenoweth joins us to talk about his experiences with a matchmaking service in Austin. Baby Chicago West and Minuka honey is also featured prominently as does a trip to dying relic: Office Depot/Biz Box. Sponsored by satchels, super cool handbags! /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/6250150

HW94: Taking Care of Elderly Parents 01/30/2018

HW94: Taking Care of Elderly Parents This week on Help Wanted we talk about potentially the scariest thing ever: taking care of aging parents, specifically: how to do it from afar, and how to do it with siblings or by yourself. This episode is sponsored by Pop Bra, the first and only ladies undergarment that supports your breasts while simultaneously holding 2 cups of popcorn. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/6203402

HW93 Perfectionism 01/16/2018

HW93 Perfectionism It's been a few weeks since resolution fireworks, which means many of us are self-flagellating because of the promises we broke to ourselves. We talk about perfectionism, how it relates to body image, and how it correlates with suicide. While we think of perfectionism as this annoying trait, it can also be dangerous. We have tips to be more gentle. Plus the impossible pronunciation of the name Nevaeh and jail cakes. This episode sponsored by moms who warn us about romaine lettuce. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/6155517

HW92: Ending Friendships 01/02/2018

HW92: Ending Friendships Breaking up with a pal can feel the same as breaking up with a significant other, but sometimes it's inevitable. Time, distance, changes in outlooks, or betrayals are just a few reasons to say sayonara to your bestie. Valerie and Reggie talk about the unpleasantness of ending friendships, how to know if you're in a toxic friendship, and how to accept a breakup, guilt-free. Sponsored by Third Parties. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/6076295

HW91: Solo Traveling Tips 12/19/2017

HW91: Solo Traveling Tips Valerie basically hops off a plane and immediately chats with Reggie about her trip. We chat about planning, mindful travel, ice cream, accents, and about how fear lives best in your head. Regina shall forever be known as Regina Gelati. This episode brought to you by jet lag. And also oversized Toblerones. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/6058401

HW90: Gratitude 12/05/2017

HW90: Gratitude It seems weird that this the first time we're talking about gratitude on Help Wanted, when Oprah talks about it all the time. We discuss finding gratitude even in difficult times and share some tips with how you can cultivate a gratitude practice in daily life, besides just writing 3 or 5 things down in a journal. This episode is sponsored by Matcha Tea, I mean Mate Tea, I mean Matcha...? What's the difference between these teas? /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5952214

HW89: Emotional Labor 11/21/2017

HW89: Emotional Labor Emotional labor is the avocado toast of women's topics these days. Valerie and Regina discuss the recent viral Harper's Bazaar piece written by Gemma Hartley and other articles on this topic and try to figure out what emotional labor actually and how it shows up in our relationships and workplaces. Is everything that you have a feeling around emotional labor? Or is it emotional labor the the work that work that comes with making decisions that keep our jobs and households moving, work that goes unspoken and that society takes for granted simply because women are usually the ones doing it? We get real in-depth. We also chat about harassment and assault and the groundswell of women and the media openly talking about it. This shit isn't going away. Help Wanted is sponsored the women who have to deal with their own harassment and assault experiences, while comforting their male friends who feel pretty bad up on learning their hero got naked in front of women and masturbated in front of them. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5952096

HW88: Outrageous Openness with Rob Chenoweth 11/07/2017

HW88: Outrageous Openness with Rob Chenoweth Rob Chenoweth joins us to talk about the book Outrageous Openness: Letting the Divine Lead by Tosha Silver. Reggie and Rob discuss how the principles of this book—surrendering the things that are out of our control—have helped them. Plus Valerie's been crying a lot and eating cornichons, Regina has a struggle with overnight oats. This episode sponsored by Real Lingo. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5918050

HW87: Flaking 10/24/2017

HW87: Flaking Are you flaky? Have you been flaked on? What about eczema? We have advice to avoid flaking (stop overcommitting!), explain why people do it, and some excuses for you if you're flaker who's never gonna change. Reggie thought the song was "Man On the Run" this whole time, and Valerie bought some expensive wheat germ oil. Plus Reggie's all about a whipped cream daiquiri, and Valerie broker her nose and stole some snacks from MedSpring urgent care. Sponsored by Thoughts and Prayers. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5870697

HW86: Atheism with Tim Brewer 10/10/2017

HW86: Atheism with Tim Brewer Tim Brewer joins us for a thoughtful conversation on atheism. Tim was raised by missionary parents in an Assemblies of God church. He talks about his experiences, how he eventually made the move to atheism, and his perceptions on how religion negatively influences society. Tim schools us on the Bible facts (he knows a lot!), and we also talk about those speaking in tongues and faith healing—the manic pixie dream girl activities of Christianity. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5824562

HW85: Comfortably Alone with Matt Flynn 09/26/2017

HW85: Comfortably Alone with Matt Flynn Comedian, writer, and folk musician Matt Flynn joins Help Wanted to talk about going out and about living life and doing activities solo versus with a pal/partner. Plus Valerie has a lot of junk mail and Reggie's a fan of Discount Tire. We also talk about singleness versus relationshipness. Sponsored by Boo Cards, business cards that arrive so quickly, it's scary! /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5776018

HW84: Emotionally Engaged Dating w/Lauren Cohen 09/12/2017

HW84: Emotionally Engaged Dating w/Lauren Cohen Valerie and Reggie talk about dental bling. Lauren Cohen from Hope and Humor Therapy joins us to discuss emotionally engaged dating. She talks about the "cool chick" phenomena and gives us permission to be fully communicate our wants and needs in dating scenarios. Apparently if we don't communicate and respect our needs, they come out anyway in weird ways (for instance we may spend $300 on lipsticks that are all the same shade of red or eat a box of blueberry cake donuts, just as examples, we've never actually done those things. We swear!).This episode is sponsored by Walgreen's, the Randall's of drug stores. Walgreen's for when you need Loreal Voluminous Mascara and everywhere else is closed. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5730014

HW83: Boundaries 08/29/2017

HW83: Boundaries There are a bazillion different kinds of boundaries (physical, emotional, spiritual) and Help Wanted explores how defining each can improve our relationships with others. Also, cheese and crackers by themselves are drab dorm food, but add grapes and all the sudden you're fancy on a romantic picnic. Reggie thinks the highest compliments are when a gay guy tells you're beautiful and a child says you're funny. Plus Reggie's going to Vegas and Valerie visited a dirt church in New Mexico. This episode is sponsored by Ecru Emu Eggs. Tired of eating plain ol white chicken eggs like a basic Becky? Try an ecru emu egg! It’s light beige, so it’s more exotic! /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5685334

HW82: Practicality vs Passion w/Ben Howell 08/15/2017

HW82: Practicality vs Passion w/Ben Howell Should you pursue a job you love? Or one where you make money? Ben "nice handwriting" Howell talks about the things he's passionate about, including his job, and how he makes decisions. The episode was recorded before Anthony Scaramucci got canned, so we pronounce his name in all the fun ways. Plus Valerie can't get enough of hand-pulled noodles and Reggie tries to make ramen fancy. Sponsored by Guys Who Watch You Parallel Park. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5643268

HW81: Attachment Styles with Angie Yaeyama 08/01/2017

HW81: Attachment Styles with Angie Yaeyama We chat with Angie Yaeyama about the book Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How it Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love by Amir Levine. Angie shares how reading it helped her recognize her attachment style (three to choose from: anxious, avoidant, and secure), and how that can change depending on what attachment style the person she's in a relationship exhibits. Plus Valerie's unsure if she should go on a third date and Reggie hung out with her nephew's nephew.Angie runs a book club in Austin for female-identifying folks called . Interested people can join on Facebook. Sponsored by that Cute Chick Who's Banging Your Ex and Posting Photos of their Smug Happy Ass Faces on Facebook. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5597000

HW80 Irrational Fears w/Rebecca Westerkom 07/18/2017

HW80 Irrational Fears w/Rebecca Westerkom The hilarious Rebecca Westerkom joins Valerie and Reggie to talk about ridiculous and not-so-ridiculous things we fear: flyovers, fires, firefighters, zip lines, chips and queso, and leaving your children parentless because you both flew on a plane that ended up crashing, among other things. Plus Reggie's annoyed when her treadmill territory is threatened and Valerie has a spiritual experience at Trader Joe's and then tells everyone about it. Sponsored by Facebook's photos of you from 5 years ago (when you peaked!). /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5549220

HW79 Volunteering with Ryan Gamble 07/04/2017

HW79 Volunteering with Ryan Gamble Help Wanted talks with renaissance woman and experienced volunteer about her different volunteering experiences, picking organizations and activities that fit, questions to ask yourself before you start volunteering, avoiding compassion fatigue, and meeting men in the produce section of the grocery store. Ryan has been involved with the community for years: teaching English as a second language, building houses with Habitat for Humanity, handing out mail at a homeless shelter, reading for the blind, and more. Regina celebrates her home-a-versary, Valerie tells an incredibly long story about stealing a chair from a volunteer. Plus, a dissection of the Blue Man Group, Pepto Bismal fandom, and being done with America. This episode is sponsored by Getting Dragged Away (a not uncommon thing that happens if you live in the USA). /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5503674

HW78: Finding Out Your Dad is Gay/Complicated Family Stuff w/Aaron Salinas 06/20/2017

HW78: Finding Out Your Dad is Gay/Complicated Family Stuff w/Aaron Salinas Aaron Salinas joins Help Wanted to talk about complicated family dynamics, how he found out his father is gay, and how he has found acceptance around his dad's homosexuality, even while his dad hasn't yet come out to him. Plus The Cracker Barrel and Reggie and Valerie are both exhausted from binge watching Orange is the New Black. This episode is sponsored by the British pronunciation of the word "schedule." /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5463687

HW77: Positivity with Tom Booker 06/06/2017

HW77: Positivity with Tom Booker Tom Booker once did a commercial with Melania Trump. He knows bad times. Yet in spite of that, he's a pretty positive person. He joins Help wanted to talk about staying positive even when things suck. The comedian, theater owner, name dropper, and president of Austin also discloses his morning meditation routine, the motives behind his positive social media posts, a story of being invited to perform in a pornographic movie, and his collection of parked domains. Valerie booked a trip to Copenhagen, and Regina's going to Vegas. Sponsored by avocado tattoos. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5421452

HW76: Human Trafficking 05/23/2017

HW76: Human Trafficking Bubbalicious bubble gum doesn't exist anymore and white chocolate candy is taking over the world, and Valerie blames Trump. Regina is discombobulated, down and out, but couch and 5king it. When Valerie and Regina were 16, they were sneaking out past curfew (shhhhh, don't tell their parents) but these days teenagers are saving the world. At least that's what Maddy and Eleanor, two ambitious high school students are doing. They and their friends helped Texas Senator draft legislation to make it requirement that Texas students learn about human trafficking. Human trafficking is a big problem; 313,000 people in Texas are trafficked each year, and 79,000 of them are young people every year. It's a topic that isn't talked about much in the media and Maddy and Eleanor are working to bring this topic to light. We also find out how these two young women feel about feminism. This episode is sponsored by: capers, the salty snack that's perfect to eat when you're on an actual caper. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5380794

Updates and Human Trafficking Teaser 05/16/2017

Updates and Human Trafficking Teaser Help Wanted will see you next week with an episode on human trafficking. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5359502

Mothers 05/09/2017

Mothers Help Wanted talks about toxic patterns in mother daughter relationships, famous tv moms, and giving moms a break. Plus, Valerie's pro Greg Kinnear, and Reggie doesn't know what to think of him. Reggie thinks matchy matchy Sears family photos are definitely a white person thing, and Valerie is still carrying around Tiny Pies weight and wants an emcee gig at the Buda Weiner Dog races. This episode sponsored by Clark's Middle Management Shoes. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5339614

HW74: Overapologizing w/Jennifer Dorsey 05/02/2017

HW74: Overapologizing w/Jennifer Dorsey Comedian Jennifer Dorsey joins Help Wanted to talk about all the stupid things women apologize for and why it's so hard to apologize when you're actually wrong. Jennifer is also filled with fun facts about the Irish famine, Little Women, and the origin of margarine (rate your favorite: Parkay? Country Crock? Fleishman's?). This episode is sponsored by Twix Fix: one Twix won't solve everything but two Twix can fix anything! /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5318495

HW73: Oversharing w/Brittany Flurry 04/25/2017

HW73: Oversharing w/Brittany Flurry Actor and comedian Brittany Flurry (The Naked Feminist, Team Teamwork Productions) talks with Help Wanted about oversharing, and how we might be prone to doing it because we're more and more disconnected as a society. What's authentic and what's A LOT? Does it matter if the thing shared is sad and gloomy or entertaining? How do we discern what's enough and what's too much? Reading the room and asking yourself "is this helpful?" are a couple of ways to think about what we're sharing and when. How do we respond on social media when someone's breaking down or TMIing every post. Ultimately sharing might be caring.Plus how to buy a car and why is everyone we went to high school with selling Rodan + Fields mascara? Sponsored by Accidental Run in w/Your Ex! /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5295546

HW72: Gossip 04/18/2017

HW72: Gossip Do you have a problem with gossip? It might not even be a problem. Because we like finding loopholes for trash talking, Help Wanted found research to support that gossip can be healthy for forming social bonds. Some folks even believe that Neanderthals gossiped and that fire, grooming, and hunting and gathering all provided venues for the chatty cave people of yore to comment on Becki's messy hair and Dylan's bitchy attitude. We also contemplate differences between caramel, butterscotch, and toffee. Reggie is not a fan of Paula Abdul, but loves a PayDay and a hollow chocolate Santa Claus, while Valerie's fave candy is a PB Reese's egg. This episode sponsored by Magic 8 Balls, when coin flipping isn't an option because of your poor hand-eye coordination and when eeney miney mo won't work because of its racial slurs, try the Magic 8 Ball!. /episode/index/show/helpwanted/id/5273142

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