This Might Help with Matt Braunger

Latest Episodes:

EP 20 - Liz Crain Has a Recipe for Helping (Spoiler: It's for Dumplings)! Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

Liz Crain is a huge part of my hometown Portland, Oregon's food scene. When I was kid, food and restaurants there were kinda… eh. Now, though? That place can compete and win with places like New York, Madrid, and even Paris. Yeah, that's right, Pierre, I said it! Liz has been documenting, cooking, and teaching on the Portland food scene for a long time now and it was great to have her on. As you Mightys know, I'm all about giving yourself treats, and that's what Liz is all about. Not only things like stuff to cook, but also things to ferment (including booze), and CANNABIS!! Yes, that's right. All the things!

THE CALLS:

1) My childhood friend Chantal calls in to TELL ME I'M AWESOME (also, what should she do with her restaurant on the Oregon Coast??)

2) A man says his neighbor neglects her dogs to the point of abuse. Should he say something or leave a letter?

3) A guy wants to know which way toilet paper should be displayed, the over or the under? HUGE QUESTION!!

Listen now.

New episodes arrive every Thursday.

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EP 19 - Jon Gabrus is the Hercules of Helping Oct 08, 2020

Show notes

Jon Gabrus, first of all, should play Hercules if Marvel decides to put their version of the character in one of their movies. Secondly, he's a big gregarious man who people have always assumed I know and party with. No true, but it should be. Jon and I are both big, we party, and we're super fun/handsome. We're both married too. I know Jon from the work I've done at the UCB, where he's a regular performer. You've also seen him in a ton of stuff. In fact, we've gone in for the same part several times (But Luka Jones usually gets the role). We used this episode as an excuse to finally become close, personal friends and to help out the Mightys out there.

THE CALLS:

1) A Gay Bear wants to know how to feel better about his body---WHO better to ASK??

2) A guy whose family wants to celebrate his birthday doesn't want to let them. Cool or no?

3) A fella's single father-in-law's web searches have revealed he's looking for a sexual pro. Help him, or leave him to the dangers of online predators?

TUNE IN! THIS EPISODE IS A MONSTER! Rate us 5 and subscribe! Thanks, Mightys.

New episodes arrive every Thursday

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EP 18 - Martha Kelly is a Wild Animal of Helping! Oct 01, 2020

Show notes

What can I say about my friend Martha Kelly? She's low key one of the funniest comedians alive, hands down. Low key being a key descriptor of her style. Martha is dry as a bone onstage, but offstage she's always been a really warm and helpful friend (don't tell her I said that). You probably know her from her entire-series-stealing work on "Baskets," but of late she's become synonymous with not taking an ounce of shit from trolls on Twitter. This was a great episode and an excuse for us to catch up like the old pals we are. THE CALLS: 1) A man is "Fuck buddies" with a friend of his ex. Should he tell her? (Spoiler: Martha: "Fuck no") 2) A young man of 30 asks, is 30 too old to move to a "happening spot," and which spot should be choose, Chicago or Portland? 3) A man's wife is 34 weeks pregnant with their first kid. What can he do to support her? Listen in for the answers and give a kind review if you like. Thanks, Mightys!

New episodes arrive every Thursday!

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EP 17 - Ian Karmel is a Great Big Helper! Sep 24, 2020

Show notes

Ian Karmel is the head writer for the Late Late Show, one of the stars of Game On! and (most importantly) an old friend. We both grew up in Portland but he's younger than me, and Ian came of age in the scene there. I call Ian my little big brother, and on this episode you can see why. Things are a little f-ed in our hometown, so we get into that, but mostly we focus on your calls. OH are they some doozies!! Listen in and check them out. People have some real problems right now!!

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EP 16 - Ira Madison III Gives You Help You Can Keep! Sep 17, 2020

Show notes

Playwright, tv writer, and pop culture critic extraordinaire Ira Madison III ("Keep it" podcast) joins me on "This Might Help" this week. I couldn't be more excited to have him on, as I don't know him but I'm a huge fan. I got talk to Ira for 45 minutes, get to know him, and also get his unique and hilarious insight on behalf of the Mightys. Ira will definitely get some lifelong fans off of this one, as he rocked it. WOW did we get some doozies this week!

Need some advice? Call Matt at: 323-763-0228

THE CALLS:

1) A man who's never moved in with anyone is finally moving in with his lady. Help?

2) What is a young, amateur comedian to do in the age of no comedy?

3) A woman who has a bad relationship with her dying father is asking "Should she visit, despite his BS?" Listen here!

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EP 15 - Stand-alone Baby Episode Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

Matt is riding solo this week as he reflects a bit on his new venture into fatherhood, and of course, takes some calls!

Need some advice? Call Matt at: 323-763-0228

Visit MyBookie: http://bit.ly/MB_HELP and use promo code HELP and double your first deposit.

New episodes arrive every Thursday

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EP 14 - Tom Bissell is the Author of Your Help! Sep 03, 2020

Show notes

My cousin Tom is an author of books (The Disaster Artist, Extra Lives, God Lives in St. Petersburg) and video games (Gears of War). He's also an awesome dude who has I met late in life and formed a fast friendship with. I'll never forget visiting my parents in Portland, meeting him for the first time over dinner with them, then watching him force my parents to both play and understand video games at his place later that night. Classic! He's been a good pal but has also helped me learn to be a better writer, not an easy thing to teach. Tom's counsel is very valid. Speaking of which!

The Calls:

1) A male caller's wife has written three books in a year (WTF?)(!!). How does she go about getting published?

2) A lady has an overbearing friend who is ALL UP IN HER S&*T. How to tell her to back off without being mean?, and

3) A fella wants to cut down on his drinking, or maybe give it up. Any good substitutes out there for the sauce?

Call Matt at: 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday

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EP 13 - Baratunde Thurston Helps for a Full Hour! Aug 27, 2020

Show notes

Baratunde Thurston is a friend, a comedian, an activist, and a whole lot more. He's had a Ted talk that blew the F up, wrote a book called "How to Be Black," and has a new podcast called "We're Having a Moment" that couldn't be more timely. I've gotten to know him on the comedy scene over the last few years, and have even worked with him on a project. It was so fun catching up and listening to calls that the show went a full hour! Check out why.

THE CALLS:

1) A woman looking to internet date was told by a man that she masturbates too much???

2) Blair, a comedian of 5 years, has moved to a small town and is uninspired, bummed by the Covid age, and wonders how to get back on the horse

3) Mark wants to know how to get people to stop talking politics in social settings.

Check out our answers, and listen for our ideas on what to do in the new age of American Statues!

Call Matt at: 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday

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EP 12 - What the F@*k is an Air Fryer? with Farley Elliott Aug 20, 2020

Show notes

Farley Elliott is a famous food writer, but not a critic! I'd never known the difference, but it's true. He doesn't review restaurants, he writes about them if they're important to their region. In his case, and mine, this is Los Angeles. I first met Farley at at In-N-Out Burger, of course, back when he was covering comedy. Since then, he's found his groove, and now he's here to help the callers find theirs! THE CALLS: 1) Nikki moved out after 16 years with someone, has never been happier, but doesn't know how to actually "break up." Help? 2) Brendan in Savanah, Georgia asks, "What the fuck is an air fryer?" 3) Dan wants his annoying friend who bothers him to hang out all the time to wise up and realize he's being annoying. What to do? Listen in for the answers (and some laughs)!

Call Matt at: 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday

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EP 11 - Carmen Lynch is a Tall Drink of Help! Aug 13, 2020

Show notes

Carmen and I are old comedy pals, having been on several stages together as well as several festivals. Like me, she is tall, as her album "Vertically Obese" explains. We got into that (including what my soon-to-be daughter will face as a tall girl). Carmen talks "real" jobs, doing comedy in NYC, and being a comedian old enough to not care about the BS. Also, panty hose: The Worst. THE CALLS: 1) A nice lady has strong feelings for her best friend who is still married but separated. Should she tell him? 2) A man is furious, literally furious, about the existence of hiccups. What are they? 3) A guy's neighbors will not greet him or his partner, or even smile, and they won't. What the hell is wrong with them and what should he do? Listen to hear our commands!

Call Matt at: 323-763-0228

New episodes arrive every Thursday

Follow @Braunger

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