Zach, to recap: you’re not alone in this struggle. More importantly, you’ll never beat this thing on your own. Ask anyone who’s tried and they’ll tell you the same thing: you need accountability, community, and support. Again, check out x3watch.com. (Btw, I’m proud of you for trying to shake the habit. It’s worth the fight.) Carly, tell your friend what she needs to hear. Ask her some deep questions, give her your honest advice, then step aside until she makes her move.

That’s my advice…so, what’s yours? Insert your two cents in the comments section below.

Until next time,

// josh

P.S. Katie, looking sharp. Great to have you on the show. Everyone, if you have an embarrassing childhood photo, keep ‘em coming to josh@heyjosh.com.

Glad you asked:

I’m guessing you know what’s coming next: that’s right! it’s YOUR turn. What’s your advice for Zacharia and Ashley? How would you (or have you) handled similar situations in your life?

In your face, but on your side,

// josh

P.S. This week’s embarrassing childhood photo definitely takes things to a whole new level. Dig out those photos of you from when you were an infant (or, you know, last week) where you’re trying to smile and it comes off looking more like a grimace on a scared chimpanzee. The world wants to see those pics. Send ‘em to me at josh@heyjosh.com.

So, what’s YOUR take? As wisdom brewed from experience percolates to the surface of your mind, pour it forth! (Sometimes I like to wax poetical on you.) Bottom line: “Broken Heart” and Jonathan aren’t alone in these situations. If you can relate, let ‘em know. Your advice matters, too, ya know.

Until next time,

// josh

P.S. Sarah, it was good of you and your curly childhood mullet to join me in the frame. As always, send your embarrassing childhood photos to josh@heyjosh.com. Keep it real.

And now…I punt to you: what’s YOUR advice for Isabella and Megan? Share your experience, insights, and tasty tidbits of life-giving wisdom in the comments section below.

Until next time,

// josh

P.S. Let us not forget to give Alica a well-earned pat on the back for sending in a picture of herself all gussied up as a cow. You’ve earned your place in the frame of fame. As for the rest of you…be honest, you have pictures of yourself dressed up as My Little Pony. Send your embarrassing childhood photos to josh@heyjosh.com

Tune in next Wednesday for more glorious, wholesome, and thoroughly satiating (yes, it’s a word—look it up) nuggets of knowledge. In the meantime, what’s YOUR advice for Jake and Lindsey? Have you ever fallen for someone who’s already taken? How’d you deal with that? Or what have you done to overcome fear of rejection? Ready, set, leave a comment.

Until next time,

// josh

P.S.—Jessica, thanks for sharing your 8th grade mullet with the world. Truly righteous. The rest of you…whatcha got? Send your embarrassing childhood picture to josh@heyjosh.com.

I present thee with a dilemma from Kelsey. Please bestow upon it your vast wisdom and good sense. My site is your domain. Thankest thou very mucheth.

Your humble servant,

// josh

—

Hey Josh,

How can I get my boyfriend to cheer up? I’ve been with him for over five months and he’s never happy. I tried to be there for him, but it never seems to end. He always tells me how much his life sucks and it’s really draining to listen to him. Despite this he’s still a nice person and gives me thoughtful gifts and stuff.

But yeah, I already have depression and he’s not making it much better. I’m scared that if I break up with him now he’ll hang himself or something. Help!

-Kelsey

Hey Josh,

I dated this guy for 6 months and my parents seemed to be totally cool with him and like him and all that good stuff. Well then he broke up with me in January and I was totally devastated….

BUT we started talking a while back and everything is all good and we have realized that we love being together. HIS parents love the idea of us being together and are very happy. Mine on the other hand think that I am acting crazy for taking him back and hate the guy even though I am happy.

How do I convince my parents not to hate him? 

-Nicole

—

Yo Nicole,

I don’t think your parents are being psychotic, narcoleptic, or over-reacting. Honestly, they care about you and just want to protect your heart.

That being said, if you’re happy with him…it would be nice to get them on the same page.

How do you do that?  Give these a try.

1) Make sure you two hang out with your parents a little. It will be awkward at first, but they need to see that he cares for you.

2) Address it. Tell them exactly what you told me. “I understand why you would be concerned, but we are really happy to be back together, blah blah blah.”

3) Give it time. Trust takes a while to EARN and can be broken in a minute.

in your face, but on your side.

// josh

Kelly needs some wisdom. Since you have so much of it, why don’t you share? She’ll be grateful, your mom will be proud, and you’ll be happy (since giving is better than receiving and all that crap). Everybody wins.

// josh

—

Hey Josh,

My boyfriends becoming an alcoholic & I don’t want to see it happen to him. He’s already a stoner & i hate it so much. Smoking on the other hand doesn’t bother me as I do it as well. But I can’t just sit here and let him ruin his life & throw away everything he has.

Please help.
-kelly

So I was writing to tell you this dilemma I have…I had a pretty bad relationship. My first boyfriend ever was a jerk the whole way through and manipulated me which pretty much embittered me towards guys. I am still attracted to them, of course, but I have made a decision not to date because of it.

My friends all think I’m being too dramatic and hasty, making that decision at 16 before ever really giving guys a chance, so now I’m not sure what to think about my choice.

Am I choosing the right thing or should I give guys another try? I don’t know if I am just being logical or trying to shut guys out to keep from getting hurt again. Will you please help me?

Thanks,
Jalayne

—

Dearest Jalayne,

You might want to have your friends start calling you Sister Jalayne because your career path is heading towards being a nun. (Nuns are the ones who don’t date, right?)

Man, I loved Sister Act II. That Whoopi Goldberg is something else. Pardon me.

I think you’re being a tad over zealous. But it’s natural to swing to the opposite side when you’ve been burned. Remember when you swore off Mexican food because of what it did to you that one time? Exactly.

My advice: Date again. But learn from your past. You are now wiser, more cautious, and know what you’re looking for. (By the way, you should be picky! You shouldn’t settle! You deserve that.)

I shall close with the wise words of the American Rejects, “Find a man that’s worth a D@#% that treats you well.”

In your face, but on your side,
// josh

“I’m supposed to go to prom with my boyfriend, but prom is still a month away and there’s no way the relationship is surviving until then. He’s clingy and feels like he constantly has to have his hand on my arm, back, etc. We can never just sit around and talk. He also doesn’t like that I coach a team of younger girls, but I live for those girls.

I don’t know how to end it without it getting ugly, even though in past break-ups I’ve been able to mediate things pretty well. If we break up, do I still go to prom with him? I’m at a complete loss at how to handle everything. In over my head doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

Yo Steph,

Ditch this dude. You’re done with him anyway. Get it over with. It’s better for you and better for him. If you respect him at all, don’t force him to take you to prom, spend money on an expensive dinner when you’d rather be eating pizza anyway, and make him endure a horribly awkward prom evening ending with a goodnight hand-shake.

Wow…that was a massive run-on sentence.

Uh yeah, get rid of him and go to the prom with your friends or with a friend who also happens to stand to urinate.

In a tux, but on your side,

// josh