This Might Help with Matt Braunger

Latest Episodes:

Ep 40 - David Koechner, The Champ, is here to help! Mar 04, 2021

Show notes

You know him as Champ Kind from Anchorman, Todd Packer on The Office, Bill on The Goldbergs, or a hundred other things. Me, I know him as a Chicago improv legend and one of the kindest dudes ever. From helping me and other friends of mine along the way through this minefield of a business to letting me and my then-girlfriend (now wife) use his dressing room at SNL and introducing me to Will Farrell, David is there for people. He also has five kids, so he's got a lot of perspective to share. This was a fun one.

THE CALLS:

1) A graphic designer who can't sell his work is about to start an internship that will leave him no free time. It's also unpaid, so he can't take his new girlfriend out. Ideas?

2) A comic actor who idolizes David asks for showbiz advice. Also, how can he get a Funco doll of him as Champ Kind?

3) A man is convinced a neighbor took his EZPass out of his open convertible. Confront him or just order a new one?

4) We do a speed round of questions posted to my IG stories. How could you not listen to this episode?? Thanks, Mightys. You are the wind beneath my (hot) wings.

Call Matt and ask a question 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday via The Laugh Button.

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Ep 39 - Tom Thakkar Loves Dumb Stuff, and Helping! Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

As I mention on the show, Tom was once mentioned in a review of a show I did as having a better set than mine. Do we get into it? Oh yeah. And, it turns out better than you thought. I've known Tom for many years, and he's always been a fun comic to watch and a good friend/drinking buddy to have. We talked about keeping perspective during this horrible time for live comedy, dealing with drunk audience members, relationships, the Midwest, and lots of other distracting, non-important topics to help fill your day with fun.

THE CALLS:

1) Tom has a podcast called "Stand by Your Band," where he and a guest defend their 'guilty pleasure' musical acts. Caller asks, "What are yours?"

2) A fella got drunk and cheated on his wife of ten years. He's now in AA and taking steps to repair the damage done. He asks, "How can things go back to normal?"

3) A singer/comedian asks, "How can you tell what people want to laugh at when you can't do live shows?" Listen for our wise, and very stupid answers. Like, subscribe, and be proud. You're a Mighty!

Call Matt and ask a question 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday via The Laugh Button.

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Ep 38 - Reggie Watts is Here to Help, from Outer Space! Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

Reggie Watts is someone I love to watch on stage as well as hang out with (it's less common than you might think). An improvisor at his core, Reggie creates music and comedy from scratch onstage and has an open, creative mind when it comes to others offstage. We first met at the Bumbershoot Festival in 2009 and he inspired me big time, because at one point I had to go on after him (Me back then: "Shit!!"). It made me conquer certain fears, something we all have to go through. Now he's the head of the band on the Late Late Show with James Corden, but he still creates and performs regularly. He was an absolute blast and joy on TMH.

THE CALLS:

1) A lady who's just turned 40 is sick of guys saying "You don't look that old" as a compliment. Can we help?

2) A man takes big dumps at his girlfriend's house and at her parents' place, but they don't have a plunger. What to do?

3) A nice lady asks Reggie THE ULTIMATE QUESTION (listen to find out what it is!!).

Thanks, Mightys! Enjoy, and spread the word.

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Call Matt and ask a question 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday via The Laugh Button.

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Ep 37 - Andy Wood Is A Jeopardy Champion Here to Help! Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

My friend Andy Wood is a comedian and massive nerd (his own admission) who started the Bridgetown Comedy Festival with me in 2007. It ran ten years and helped the PDX comedy scene hugely, as well as gave a ton of comedians and fans the times of their lives. He also won Jeopardy four times (!!). A kind and gentle fella, he was the only guy in my bachelor party that women actually hit on, which I of course forgot to mention.

THE CALLS:

1) A lady with a broken heart wants to know, how to get over it without becoming a full-blown drunk?

2) A 37-year-old woman accidentally put herself down as 30 on her dating apps and her likes exploded! The people on dates with her haven't cared. Is she wrong?

3) A nice fella who served me drinks in Portland once lost a friend to suicide after gaining some professional success. It feels wrong to be proud of himself, is that weird? Listen, tell your friends, subscribe, and be good to yourself, my Mightys.

For advertising opportunities email advertise@thelaughbutton.com

Call Matt and ask a question 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday via The Laugh Button.

For advertising opportunities email advertise@thelaughbutton.com

Call Matt and ask a question 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday via The Laugh Button.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 36 - Michelle Biloon Has Been Around/is Here to Help! Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

Michelle is an old friend, and we have something in common: our lives have had many acts. We both started in very strong comedy scenes (her in Austin, me in Chicago) that both liked to drink strongly. We're both now parents with kids, and don't regret our party pasts. See? You CAN have it all! It was fun catching up with Michelle and busting each other's chops. We went a full hour! Lucky you.

THE CALLS:

1) Rob's wife hates that he watches the same shows and movies over and over, even though he watches new stuff with her. Does he suck?

2) Jake in Philly wants to lose weight. Any tips from two people that have?

3) A comedian who's just starting out wants to know how he can "make his mark" when you can't play stages??

Listen, like, and subscribe, My Mightys!!

For advertising opportunities email advertise@thelaughbutton.com

Call Matt and ask a question 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday via The Laugh Button.

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EP 35 - My Manager Biz is Here to Have Fun, and Help! Jan 28, 2021

Show notes

Biz Hurst is my manager, a friend, and lately a zoom drinking buddy from time to time. They're also trans non-binary, a snappy dresser, and somehow not entirely losing their mind in the current NYC lockdown. Oh, this is while also juggling a roster of young, hungry comedians like me (Kidding about me, but seriously all her other clients are pretty young, which definitely keeps me young (they've never heard me say this)). This was Biz's first podcast guest appearance, and they knocked it out of the park. Take a listen.

THE CALLS:

1) A lady's male friend made "unwanted advances" and hurt the friendship, to the point where she "Can't forgive him." What can he do to get back in her graces?

2) Joe wants to know, specifically from Biz, how the hell do you eat healthy at the airport?

3) A big fan of mine (thanks!) is doing terrible in an expensive law school. Stick it out and risk more horrible debt for no reason, or go for (literal) broke? Thanks, Mightys! We've only just begun.

For advertising opportunities email advertise@thelaughbutton.com

Call Matt and ask a question 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday via The Laugh Button.

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EP 34 - My Old Friend, GirlDad, & Fellow Maker of Mistakes Matt Dwyer is Here to Help! Jan 21, 2021

Show notes

I can't tell you all the stuff I've been through with Matt Dwyer. We've known each other for decades, and more than a few of the memories are lost to utterly destroyed brain cells. Who better than him AND me to offer advice to you, the youth of the world? We're also both dads now, and he's one of the only people I've seen during the dreaded quar (he's in my pod (not cast).

THE CALLS:

1) A repeat caller who was afraid of hell is STILL afraid of hell. What to do? 2) A man who used a HAM radio is being stalked by three men, or IS HE?

3) A college aged fella wants to know: Should I get a dog?

Enjoy, my Mightys!

For advertising opportunities email advertise@thelaughbutton.com

Call Matt and ask a question 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday via The Laugh Button.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 33 - Robin Tran is Not Having the Bulls*&t, but she's Here to Help! Jan 14, 2021

Show notes

Robin Tran is smart, trans, hilarious, and a badass on the comedy and roast scene. Recently she's blown up online as well, partly because of Covid but also because of getting on the right track with her depression. This episode went long and I laughed out loud a lot.

THE CALLS: All I'll say is A) There are four of them, and B) They start with a compliment and end with a drunk guy giving US advice.

HA! Enjoy.

Call Matt and ask a question 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday via The Laugh Button.

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EP 32 - Solo New Years Episode Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

Whoo! 2020 is over! More BS is yet to come, but hopefully (with what we've been through) we'll be ready. I wanted to do this episode by myself to kick the year off right, and to go old school with the pod. Way back when I started, I did it guest-less, so here I go again on my own (a la Whitesnake). I did five calls. Yes, five. Were they doozies? Hell f-ing yes!

THE CALLS:

1) All I'll say is, Rocky Dennis

2) A caller wants to know: What to do if your job pays dick?

3) A caller has onion rings on her Xmas tree. Also, how can she keep a good outlook on the future?

4) Chris has to take a psyche evaluation, and her therapist (who isn't giving it) is suggesting she lie. YES, THIS IS REAL.

5) Steve and his family, by protecting their grandmother, have been ostracized by her. Next steps? Listen, like, subscribe, all that fun stuff.

Thanks, Mightys. 2021 will still be hard, but it will be better.

Love, Braung-Dongs

Call Matt and ask a question 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday via The Laugh Button.

For advertising opportunities email advertise@thelaughbutton.com

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EP 31 - Blaine Capatch is Blaming the Shrimp for His Hangover, but Helping! Dec 31, 2020

Show notes

Blaine Capatch is a friend, but also a comedy idol of mine. I know that sounds like a lot, but he's one of those comedians whose writing and silly delivery I've looked up to for a very, very long time. He started out in the San Francisco comedy scene of the 90s with people like Patton Oswalt and Dana Gould, and since then he's written on roughly 5 million television shows. When I was a guest on @Midnight on Comedy Central, I would always ask to get Blaine as the comedy writer I would bounce my jokes off of before we taped (and a LOT of funny people wrote on that show (RIP)). We had a great time, and it was nice to see he hasn't lost his mind during Covid (any more than it was already gone).

THE CALLS:

1) When caller Evan has people over for dinner, if anything (even the smallest thing) goes wrong, he is devastated. How to cope with his own brutal self-criticism?

2) A man's mom has decimated his high scores on a mutually loved video game. It wasn't a big deal, but she keeps bragging about it. Is it cool to destroy your mom's scores and brag right back?

3) A nice lady and her husband are big fans of the show, and he's started taking care of his drinking problem and now goes to therapy. What are my and Blaine's thoughts on getting ahold of one's alcohol abuse (and secret drinking)?

Listen, like, subscribe, but most of all don't go hang out in groups. Instead, binge "This Might Help" eps and spread the good word! Thanks, Mightys!

Call Matt and ask a question 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday via The Laugh Button.

For advertising opportunities email advertise@thelaughbutton.com

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