Advice on cars, driving & getting around.

How many standard drinks is it safe to have before driving later in the day?

Josh suggests pacing drinks (e.g., no more than one Vodka Cruiser per hour, waiting an hour between drinks) and erring on the side of caution rather than risking being over 0.05, noting it's not worth the risk even if you think you've metabolized alcohol.

What's a cautionary lesson about young people and drink driving?

Josh warns listeners not to drive after drinking even if they feel sober, citing his own risky experience of blowing zero at a booze bus despite having had several beers earlier in the day, stressing that young people engage in more risky behavior like this.

What should you do after jump-starting a car to make sure it doesn't die again?

After a jump start, keep the engine running for an extended period (not just turning it on and off) so the battery actually recharges; if you turn it off too soon it may not restart.

What should you do if you think you have a cold sore starting?

Tommy advises not to panic or over-research online, but to just 'ride it out' and treat it with medications like Famvir or Zovirax, noting it can't be cured but can be managed, and that stress, sun, and cold exposure can trigger outbreaks.

How do you avoid regretting a big equipment purchase like gym equipment?

Get the specific model you actually want rather than a cheaper alternative, because settling for a lesser version means you won't feel excited or passionate about using it, and it will end up unused (becoming 'a clothes hanger').

What should you do if a food delivery app lets you select an option without properly configuring it (e.g. a sandwich with no filling)?

Tommy suggests apps like Uber Eats/Subway should not allow a 'Veggie Delight' selection to be completed without choosing salad ingredients, and that it should default to including everything with an opt-out instead.

How do you handle double-parked or briefly stopped cars without risking a fine?

Tommy says he prefers to keep driving around the block ('blockies') rather than sit stationary where he might get ticketed, while Josh tends to wait it out and risk it.

Should I buy the rental car company's insurance when renting a car?

Decline the car rental company's own insurance; instead buy a travel insurance policy (roughly $60) that typically covers a set car excess (around $5,000), since third-party liability is usually compulsory/included separately anyway.

What should you do if you realise you've left something in an Uber right after getting out?

Order another Uber immediately rather than waiting, since if it's within something like 30 seconds the driver could turn around and return it before driving off, rather than relying on Uber's slow in-app lost-item reporting process.

Is it okay to complain to a food delivery service about cold or wrong food?

Josh suggests it depends on the business: complaining is fine against a large company, but feels mean when it could hurt a small cafe struggling to stay open, especially during the pandemic.

How do you justify taking potentially distasteful photos for a creative project?

Tommy jokes/suggests simply framing yourself as 'an artist' as an excuse to get away with capturing confronting or dark content, like real emotions at a car accident.

How do you win an internal dispute in a club or committee over supplier choice?

Build a case around objective value (price/quality) for the person responsible for finance rather than attacking the incumbent supplier on personal grounds; if that's blocked despite a clear financial case, it becomes evidence of favoritism (e.g., nepotism) you can point to.

Should you open mail that might contain a fine?

Throw offense/fine-looking mail straight in the bin without opening it if you can get away with it (i.e., if you're not a homeowner/parent with legal obligations), since opening it just creates stress.

What should you do with old or lithium-ion batteries?

Don't throw lithium-ion batteries in the regular bin because they can catch fire due to battery acid; take them to retailers offering battery recycling, such as Aldi or Officeworks.

What's the safest way to try breathwork for the first time?

Nat Pidding and Matt D'Avella advise always lying down when doing breathwork sessions (normally 10-40 minutes) because you can get lightheaded or pass out, and to keep the mouth relaxed rather than contorted while breathing.

What should you do if a driver nearly hits you as a pedestrian?

Stay calm, state clearly that you had the right of way, and if needed photograph the vehicle's number plate as evidence rather than escalating into a physical confrontation.

Should I tip a food delivery driver in cash or through the app?

George Martin suggests tipping in cash rather than through the app, arguing that app tips 'feed the system' of a company that doesn't reward or do much for its delivery workers.

When is it acceptable to request a refund on delivered food?

Josh argues you should only complain or seek a refund if the food issue is genuinely bad (e.g., something like a nail in the pasta), not for normal things like a pizza going cold in transit, which is an unrealistic expectation to place on a delivery driver.

Should I get a pilot's licence if I'm interested but worried about cost?

Tommy tells Josh that getting a pilot's licence (around $12,000 for certification) doesn't require owning a plane outright, since planes can be borrowed or hired, making the hobby more accessible than it seems.

What's the best way to stop magpies swooping, and do bike helmet cable ties actually work?

Cable ties on helmets (often mistaken for a magpie deterrent) don't actually work; the most effective method is making direct eye contact with the magpie.

How often should you replace a bike helmet?

Helmets should be replaced roughly every 10 years as materials and safety standards degrade or improve over time.

How do you build better admin/follow-through habits?

When connecting people or starting tasks, follow the journey through to completion rather than just doing the initial action and moving on.

What should you say to a partner who's just been in a car accident?

Ask first whether they're okay rather than reacting with frustration or focusing on logistics; Josh notes this was the first thing he asked Bree and she appreciated it.

How do you build an audience or following?

Eric advises that you don't need to sell or market to people — if you simply show them what you're doing, people will naturally gravitate toward it.

Should you build a personal brand around being a 'told you so' early adopter?

Jack suggests being careful not to let early adoption become your whole identity, because it risks making you look smug or bitter when others catch on later, and sometimes a product only becomes genuinely useful once it's mainstream (e.g., Uber).

Should you engage the handbrake even in an automatic car?

Always engage the handbrake when parked, even in an automatic car in a shopping centre car park, because relying on 'park' alone can wear down parts over time and in rare cases the car can still roll, as happened at a petrol station.

How do you know when it's time to get serious about debt or finances?

You have to actually face your debt directly rather than avoiding looking at bank statements; for Matt, hitting rock bottom (moving back in with parents, feeling trapped) was the moment that forced him to confront his finances and seek change.

Should you leave spare car keys inside your vehicle?

Tommy warns that leaving a spare key in the glovebox or centre console can void insurance claims if the car is stolen, since policies often exclude claims where a key was left accessible in the car.

What should you do if you see a driver who seems impaired or asleep at the wheel?

Tommy's approach was to get alongside the driver, alert them verbally, and report the incident to police, reasoning that impaired driving endangers others like his own child and loved ones.

What should you do if you witness a hit-and-run or accident while travelling?

Quickly photograph the offending vehicle's number plate (using burst or live-photo features if possible), seek help from locals or witnesses to contact police if you don't have a working phone/data connection, and be willing to leave your contact details as a witness even if the other party never follows up.

What's the safest way to get around a Greek island?

Hire a four-wheeler rather than a scooter, since four-wheelers don't require the same balance; ideally avoid hiring either if safety is a concern.

How should you view Uber/gig-economy drivers who complain about their job?

Josh argues that driving for Uber is ultimately a choice, that most passengers aren't being deliberately difficult (just unfamiliar with the app), and that if a driver's mindset toward customers is bad they'll keep having a bad experience and should consider other work.

Is it fair to assume gig workers can simply choose a different job if unhappy?

Bree counters that it's not a simple choice for everyone — some people lack other accessible options and gig platforms like Uber may be their only practical way to earn income, so judging their 'choice' is overly simplistic.

How should you think about obsession when pursuing a creative skill?

Treat obsession as a gauge of genuine interest rather than something purely negative; being deeply interested in something helps you persevere through the painful early learning stages of a new skill.

Should I confront people who litter or behave badly in public?

Tommy argues littering is something you just shouldn't do and that calling people out (e.g., calling someone a 'grub') can spread awareness, though Josh questions whether this is genuine care or just enjoying the chance to yell at someone.

Is it worth pursuing a niche license or skill (pyrotechnics, drone, security) just because it sounds exciting?

Josh and Tommy conclude that the appeal of having an exciting license is often just the fantasy of it, and the real process (cost, bureaucracy, day-to-day tedium) usually isn't worth it unless the underlying interest is strong enough.

How do you stay motivated making content when you don't know if anyone cares?

Have high expectations of yourself (show up every day, do the work) but low expectations of external validation (assume no one is watching) — this combination tends to produce sustainable happiness and output.

What's an effective way to use auto-reply messages so they don't feel cold or corporate?

Tommy and Josh agree that adding personal touches like emojis or honest context (e.g., 'currently on a shoot') makes auto-reply texts feel more personable rather than vague or overly automated.

How should you decide when to be honest versus when to hold back?

Tommy suggests honesty generally rewards you over time, but acknowledges it can work against you practically (e.g., a workplace not hiring you over something embarrassing), so there's a real tension between radical honesty and self-protection.

What's a practical way to get rid of an old, low-value car that's not roadworthy?

Call scrap car removal companies directly—Tommy got a cash offer ($150-$200) for his unroadworthy Honda Civic without needing to pay for a roadworthy certificate, and the company picked it up with minimal paperwork.