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Artwork for Weirdly Helpful

Weirdly Helpful (formerly The Best Advice Show)

Zak Rosen
Self-Improvement
Mindfulness
Mental Health
Parenting
Grief
Death
Personal Growth
Relationships
Creativity
Friendship
Community
Vulnerability
Friendship Breakups
Gratitude
Emotional Health
Communication
Intimacy
Cooking
Travel
Anxiety

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 ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes717Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Self-ImprovementHow ToEducation

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Weirdly Helpful

Latest Episodes

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 phone less.

Dapne on using our... more

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 Manny Fidel, Noah Friedman, and ... more

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

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Lucy Anderton on graphing household labor and other weirdly helpful gems.

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What do you find Weirdly H... more

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 Newcamp. It's called Care and Feedin... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Mike Pesca
Host of The Gist and How To! Exclamation
The Gist / How To! Exclamation
Episode: How Understanding Your Brain Chemistry Can Change Your Life
Laura Tersch
Therapist, referenced as a collaborator
Palisades, New York (therapist)
Episode: How Understanding Your Brain Chemistry Can Change Your Life
Terry Rawls
Psychotherapist mentioned as a prior guest
Episode: How Understanding Your Brain Chemistry Can Change Your Life
Cara Ryan
Academic by trade and a theater artist
Independent artist (Emerson College reference)
Episode: How to Make it Work as a Young Artist
Eric Zimmer
Host of The One You Feed, author
Episode: Play the Tape All the Way Through with Eric Zimmer + The Battle of Night Guy Vs Morning Guy with Jerry Seinfeld
Toogie Barcelo
Choreographer, somatic coach, breathwork coach, expert wiggler
Wiggle Room / LA-based movement practice
Episode: The Transcendental Power of Wiggling with Toogie Barcelo
Ashley Alker
Emergency medicine doctor, medical director, adjunct professor at George Washington University, and author
Author of 99 Ways to Die and How to Avoid Them
Episode: 99 Ways to Die (and how to avoid them⁠) with Dr. Ashley Alker
Kira Newman
Physician in gastroenterology
Episode: 99 Ways to Die (and how to avoid them⁠) with Dr. Ashley Alker
Dessa Cosma
Executive Director of Detroit Disability Power
Detroit Disability Power
Episode: Why I'm Not Using the Word "Crazy" Anymore (and Why You Should Just Say What You Actually Mean) with Dessa Cosma

Hosts

Zak Rosen
Host of Weirdly Helpful, known for his focus on creative rituals and unconventional advice. Zak brings a whimsical yet thought-provoking approach to personal improvement, engaging listeners with various contributors to explore unique practices.
Lauren Passell

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 505 ratings
  • My Favorite!

    The “How to Take Control

    of Your News Diet”

    episode alone was worth the Patreon sub for me. Love this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Beth315503
    United States3 months ago
  • The advice we need right now!

    Thank you for your using your platform to speak out and remind us that justice and humanity will prevail.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CCKelly1133
    United States3 months ago
  • Intentional and Endearing

    I always appreciate a podcast where you know the creators are intentional about your time. Incredibly edited and purposeful, I love how Zak creates softness and space for the listener to learn. I feel safe knowing that I don’t know everything and looking forward to continually learning weirdly helpful things!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nonprofitwiz
    United States4 months ago
  • My reward

    After listening to the morning news podcast I treated myself to this show. My favorites that I use most days are the witchy water maneuvers, writing a letter instead of looking at your phone, touching grass, mind palace for your mind/ 9o’clock rule

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hellocryan
    United States8 months ago
  • Terrible advice from Anne Kadet, but always 5 ⭐️

    Capsule wardrobe: yes. Minimizing your clothing's impact on your mental space: yes. Ordering things from Amazon: no. Throwing things in the trash as soon as they're stained or need light mending: terrible advice!! Mend before you spend, people, and don't shop on Amazon if you can avoid it at all (which can be done 99% of the time)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    luciagalen
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback often highlights the quality of the guests and the practicality of the advice shared.
Listeners appreciate the podcast's unique blend of humor and actionable advice.
Many find the content both lighthearted and profound, addressing a variety of personal challenges.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#12
United States/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#1
Canada/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#91
Canada/Education
Apple Podcasts
#120
United Kingdom/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#176
Italy/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#4
Philippines/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Farting for Relief and Walking for Peace in Our Fragmented World
Q: Will you set the scene for us? What are you looking at right now?
We're passing neighbors on a quiet street with oaks overhead, talking about food and plans as we walk, which frames the scene for a comfortable, ongoing family ritual.
Farting for Relief and Walking for Peace in Our Fragmented World
Q: What are you looking at right now?
We're walking our block on a canopied street in Florida, taking in the evening light and the neighborhood's calm, which sets the mood for an open, relaxed conversation.
Inventing Play & Three Ideas to Curb Self-Mutilation with Laura Hawley
Q: Can I ask you a question?
Laura responds with practical, nonjudgmental guidance about recognizing trance-like urges and exploring gentler, alternative behaviors to manage compulsive skin picking, including the band-aid approach, the balloon lentil gadget, and a firm stop-start cue.
The Transcendental Power of Wiggling with Toogie Barcelo
Q: Can you name some of the artists that you work with?
She lists Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McCray, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Demi Lovato, Katy Perry, Troye Sivan, Harry Styles, M83, Perfume Genius, and St. Vincent as examples of artists she collaborates with.
Why I'm Not Using the Word "Crazy" Anymore (and Why You Should Just Say What You Actually Mean) with Dessa Cosma
Q: What is the difference between person-first and identity-first language, and when is each appropriate?
Both forms are acceptable depending on individual preference, with many disabled people preferring identity-first language, while others prefer person-first; the key is listening to the person and respecting their choice.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Weirdly Helpful

What is Weirdly Helpful about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content focuses on providing listeners with unusual yet effective strategies to enhance their everyday lives through quirky advice and creative rituals. Each episode features diverse contributors who share offbeat practices, from the whimsical to the thought-provoking, aimed at fostering personal growth and self-improvement. Themes often explored include unconventional approaches to emotional wellness, relationship dynamics, mindfulness, and community engagement, making the content both entertaining and actionable.

Notably, the podcast's charm lies in its blend of lightheartedness and depth, making complex ideas accessible while inviting listeners to experiment with their own lives. This unique angle positions it as a refreshing altern... more

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How many listeners does Weirdly Helpful get?

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How many subscribers and views does Weirdly Helpful have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Weirdly Helpful has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Weirdly Helpful?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Weirdly Helpful:

1. A Slight Change of Plans
2. Hidden Brain
3. Ologies with Alie Ward
4. How to Be a Better Human
5. How To! with Mike Pesca

How many episodes of Weirdly Helpful are there?

Weirdly Helpful launched 6 years ago and published 717 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Weirdly Helpful?

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What guests have appeared on Weirdly Helpful?

Recent guests on Weirdly Helpful include:

1. Mike Pesca
2. Laura Tersch
3. Terry Rawls
4. Cara Ryan
5. Eric Zimmer
6. Toogie Barcelo
7. Ashley Alker
8. Kira Newman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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