Hey Josh

Advice Show 011 // College, Goals, Pregnancy, and Truth Telling

Episode 011! Jess wants to write a book and be an artist, but her parents think that’s waste of time and want her to go to college…but the thought of college makes Jess panic. What to do? In other email, JD and his fiance are pregnant but don’t want his parents or her grandparents to find out. I serve ‘em each a savory morsel of wisdom, so sink your teeth into this:

And now, my young apprenti (I’ve decided to make “apprenti” the plural form of “apprentice” instead of “apprentices” because, well, I think it sounds cooler), let’s hear YOUR advice for Jess and JD. What are some of the lessons you’ve learned about planning for your future and/or telling the truth even when it hurts?

Until next time,

// josh

P.S. Jaimie, thanks for sharing your toothless childhood smile with me. I found it both heartwarming and humorous. The rest of you…let’s see what you’ve got. Send your embarrassing childhood photos to josh@heyhosh.com.

Advice Show 008 // Learning to Drive, Conformity, and Testing Everything

Episode 008 rolls in with a question from Alysa about how to deal with her dad—sounds like he’s driving her crazy trying to teach her how to drive—and a query from Patrick about whether conformity is a good thing or a bad thing. I believe good questions deserve good answers, so, here we go:

If you have words of hope to share with Alysa, insight to offer Patrick, or a narcoleptic Driver’s Ed teacher, the world needs to hear about it. Leave a comment below, budding advice slingers! If you have questions, issues, or troubling thoughts and you’re looking for advice yourself, hit me up—that’s what I’m here for.

Until next time,

// josh

P.S. Stephanie, looking sharp; you make an adorable dalmatian puppy. The rest of you, follow her lead and send in your embarrassing childhood photos to josh@heyjosh.com. Dog costumes, chicken suits, homemade superhero get-ups and other unflattering apparel are all welcome in my frame.

Advice Show 006 // What You Want in Life & Unbottling Bottled-up Emotions

Episode 006! Keepin’ it real with questions from Brandon and Gwen. Brandon’s feeling pressure to be something he doesn’t think he wants to be but—then again—he isn’t sure what he DOES want, and Gwen’s trying hard to be there for a BFF in a tough situation. Watch and learn:

The party’s here every week—same time, same place, same organic goodness. Flag me down at HeyJosh.com if you have a question of you own, or give me a call at 877-HEY-JOSH. In the meantime, try your hand at slinging advice to Brandon and Gwen. What have you done to try to figure out what you want? How have you been there for a friend? Your insights are valuable…but only if you share them. Go for it. This party’s for everyone.

// josh

P.S. Amy, your childhood photo is hilarious; your glasses redefine embarrassing. Love it. Thanks for chillin’ in my frame this week. The rest of you, stop guarding your embarrassing childhood photos from the eyes of the world like your reputation depends on it, let go of your pride, and send the pics to me at josh@heyjosh.com.

Hey Josh, I’m Worried I’ll Have to Give Up My Dream

Hey Josh,

I really need some help in the career area. Well anyway, what’s up is I’ve been wanting to become a physio for several years, but when I was 17 my dad didn’t let me do YR 12 because he thought that business was for me, but I never wanted to be chained to a boring desk. That would never be purposeful for me. Well, dad does not live in the household anymore so it’s just me and my mum.

This year I decided to make my dream my goal and make it become reality so I’ve been doing YR 12 part time. Anyway because I have to look for a full time job or centerlink will not pay me, I’m stuck because they say I must get a full time job and I have to quit my course which means quitting my dream. I don’t know what to do and they don’t accept part time work either. I don’t want to sound like I’m whining but if I study full time I can’t pay my bills.

What should I do? I’m also wondering, could sponsorship be an option and how would I get it. I don’t want to give up on my dreams and reality is I have 10 weeks till my exams and then I will work as many hours as they demand my work. Really need HELP, don’t know how I’m gonna solve this problem and finish my course.

–Erina

Read more…

Hey You, My Parents Don’t Support Me

Got some advice for Rose? Fire away!

// josh

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Hey Josh,

I’m 14 years old and I absolutely LOVE acting. Acting is my favorite thing to do. The problem is: my parents don’t support me in the slightest. In fact, they often try to talk me out of acting, saying how awful and terrible it is. 

The frustrating thing is that my little brother is allowed to act all he wants and my parents support him 100%. They let him audition in the city and even got him an agent, but they won’t even consider it with me. The reason they support him is because he’s really good at acting. Me? I’m not bad. I’m only ok though.

Read more…

Hey Josh, What should I do when I grow up?

Good Evening.

I’ve been thinking.  Life can be kinda like a factory, can’t it?  We all go to pretty similar schools where they teach everyone the same things so that we’ll turn out just like everyone else, right?  It’s like a FACTORY!  Think about it, to congratulate you on Graduation day they make everyone dress the same in those dumb cap and gowns, like a bunch of products coming off of a conveyor belt, then they stamp you with a diploma as proof of which conveyor belt you came off of!  FACTORY!  Then you go to college (another conveyor belt).  Whether or not this is the best decision for your life, everyone convinces you this is what comes after high school so you go.  FACTORY!  Then you get a job.  There is a good chance that this probably isn’t the job you always wanted and it doesn’t pay you nearly enough, but you keep going day after day because it’s your only option and you’ve got to pay the bills.  FACTORY!

Then one day, many years from now, you wake up one day and ask yourself “What have I been doing with my life?  Where has all of my time gone?  What do I have to show for myself?  How did I let my life turn into this Factory?”

When that day comes, you will just have experienced a “mid-life crisis”.  Your parents have probably had one or two of these.  Ask them about it sometime.

I’m working on a sweet DVD and booklet designed to make you “Mid-Life Crisis Proof” (more details to come). I will tell you how to get rid of this Factory mentality and live the life you are supposed to live, not the life that gets handed to you on the conveyor belt! Why?  Because you are a unique individual and the ONLY person who can know exactly what is best for you.

You are not a FACTORY.

- Josh

Factory

“Hey Josh, What am I supposed to be when I grow up?”

This has to be one of the questions I get asked the most. And it should be! Your answer to this question will make you either thrilled to wake up each morning or miserable for the rest of your life. So, what should you do with your life? This short film, my dear sweet young one, is my epic response.

Currently, you can only watch the trailer online, but this film will be part of an epic series of short films, starting in 2009. This series tackles issues you deal with on a regular basis such as school, future, dating, parents, friends, identity, etc…

Want to dive in early? Here’s a sneak peek at the heart of Factory. Go ahead, take a bite out of this knowledge biscuit and ponder the possibilities. Think your friends need to hear this too? Be a hero; pass it along.