Hey Josh

Advice Show 016 // Porn Addiction and Rough Relationships

Yo, Josh Shipp here with Advice Show Episode 016. Today I’m dropping advice on Zach and Carly. Zach wrote in with vague confessions of struggling with an unnamed problem (I think I know what he’s getting at, though), and Carly’s tired of dealing with her best friend playing emotional yo-yo with her on-again off-again boyfriend. Listen closely, my friends…

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.

Advice Show 015 // Self Pity, Losing Dad, and Googling Yourself

Happy Thanksgiving Day’s Eve, grateful young humans! Allow me to present Advice Show Episode 015 for your enjoyment and edification. Yeah, I know what you really want right now is several healthy helpings of pumpkin pie and mug of hot cider, but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow. (Hey, don’t blame me; I’m not cooking your dinner.) In the meantime, Jessica needs advice on helping out a friend who feels really sorry for herself and Rachelle is struggling with losing her dad and isn’t ready to handle her mom’s new boyfriend. Let’s see if we can help:

And that’s my take; I’d love to hear  yours. What have YOU done to help pull people out of their pity parties? Or maybe you’ve lost a parent and can relate to Rachelle. How did you respond? What can Rachelle learn from your experience?

Keep it real, everybody.

Peace, love, and a turkey,

// josh

P.S. Priscilla, you’re photo wasn’t embarrassing. You look great, honestly. Tanline schmanline. Anyway, thanks for sending it to me; it was great to have you on the show. I hope you find a lovely prom date. The rest of you, send your actually embarrassing childhood photos to josh@heyjosh.com.

Advice Show 014 // Moving, Roommates, and Making Friends

Salutations, young humans, and welcome to Advice Show episode 014! (“Salutations” is a fancy word for “hi,” btw.) Phyl moved to a new school/neighborhood and feels like he has no one to talk to, and Kelsey is dealing with a tense roommate situation. I sling advice their way:

So, there it is. Patience, perseverance, and evites are where it’s at when it comes to making friends. At least, I think so. What’s YOUR advice on moving, making new friends, and dealing with difficult roommates? If any of you have tried out earplugs to block out snoring so you can sleep over your roommates ruckus, let Kelsey know how that worked out for ya. Could be a lifesaver.

Until next time,

// josh

P.S. Rachel, thanks for the embarrassing childhood picture; sorry for the bad print job. I hope we can still be friends. The rest of you, send your embarrassing childhood photos to josh@heyjosh.com.

Advice Show 013 // Haunted Houses, Cheating Boyfriends, and Lying Friends

Welcome to Episode 013! Zach wants to run a professional haunted house but his dad’s not exactly thrilled by the idea and Ashley’s boyfriend admits he cheated on her with her best friend (ouch)…but her friend denies it. What to do?

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.

Advice Show 009 // Frienemies, Mom’s New Boyfriend, and Talking It Out

Yo. It’s Josh Shipp, dropping in with Episode 009. Word on the street/email is Tessa’s being pestered by a pointlessly competitive, copy-cat frienemy and Alyssa’s canned emotions are causing her to distance herself from friends and family. These kind folks asked for my advice…and I kindly obliged. Behold:

Alright, young earthling—time for a little personal reflection. One way or another, I’m guessing you’ve dealt with these issues in your own life, so I’d love to hear what you’ve learned in the process (as would Tessa and Alyssa). We’ve all been on both sides of the “monkey see, monkey do” imitation game, and we’ve all canned up our emotions and made ourselves miserable. What’s YOUR solution? How have you opened up to friends and family about stuff you really didn’t want to talk about? Or, if you’ve been in Tessa’s shoes, have you ever tried to help people who annoy you and, if so, how did that worked out for you?

Pardon all the questions—I’m feeling inquisitive today, I guess. If you’d rather ask a question than answer one, that’s cool, too. Bring it on.

Later,

// josh

P.S. Hey, Kristen! It’s been good seeing you and your crazy Bubba teeth in my frame—it helps remind me to brush and floss regularly. The rest of you…I imagine I’ll be seeing your embarrassing childhood photos arriving in my email inbox any day now. Please direct your photos to josh@heyjosh.com.

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.

Advice Show 005 // Stalker Friends, Angry Moms, and Cow Costumes

Episode 005 coming at you with splendor. Isabella doesn’t know what to do about her best guy-friend who’s acting like a creeper and Megan’s having some trouble with her mom and wants to run away. But fear not, young human! Your chia-pet-haired hero and his trustworthy owl sidekick come to their rescue:

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

Hey Josh, How do I deal with a mean girl?

Hey Josh,

I’ve got a problem. And my problem’s got a name. It’s Emily.

For some reason, Emily has decided to make my life a misery. She insults me to my face, tells my friends I talk about them behind their backs, tells people lies about me, and tons of other fun stuff.

Well, recently, I realized I really liked my best friend (which was awkward at first…). Emily found out and went around telling everyone that he was disgusted and freaked out.

What do I do about this girl? I’ve tried telling her to leave me alone. I’ve tried pretending she isn’t there. But this chick is out to get me for some wacky reason

Ahh! I’m going to pull my hair out!!!  She’s driving me loony. Help! 
Becky

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Hey Josh, Prom Makes Me Want to Puke

Promlem #4 from Kaela:

“I hate dancing and I am uncomfortable with many aspects of school dances. I have issues with crowds, strobe lights, and did I mention crowds? Severe issues. Dances make me physically sick. In the weeks leading up to dances, I develop eating problems and give up on schoolwork (even getting detention on purpose).

If I am forced to go to a dance, I have a panic attack and spazz out, shaking and whimpering, which of course makes me look rather undignified. My friends don’t understand and they probably feel insulted when I refuse to dance with them. My boyfriend accepts my fear of dances but I still feel guilty.

Telling me ‘just go to the dance’ will not help unless you think throwing up in public is a good idea. And honestly? I don’t want to change. I just want to know how to help my friends accept and understand me.”
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Hey Josh, I’m Being Called a Freak

So, ummmm….Hey Josh?

I don’t really know who you are and what you stand for, but I looked at some of your advice and it looks pretty solid so now I have a pretty big question for you.

This girl at my school really loves herself and hates me for some reason. I’ve never done anything to her (at least not intentionally) but she calls me a freak. She doesn’t call it to my face  but she tells my friends, her friends, and anyone else she knows not to hang out with me because I’m a freak. We don’t run into the same social circles and I barely talk to her, but she constantly refers to me as a “goody two-shoes” and says I rig all of the school events. I’m sick of it. I love myself as a person but it still gets old and I don’t want total strangers to think the things she says are true. 

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