Advice on food, coffee & fat fridays.

How do you balance spicy Mexican dishes?

Pair hot chilli heat with cool ingredients like avocado, sour cream, or cheese to act as a 'fire blanket' against the spice.

How can you defuse potential teasing or criticism about yourself?

Make the joke about yourself first — Josh says that as a kid he was always the first to make the fat joke about himself, which disarms others because they can't use it as ammo against you.

Should I make personal videos even if I only own expensive filmmaking gear?

Tommy advises filmmakers who've spent $10,000–$15,000 on a camera but haven't made a personal video in over a year to 'take a look at yourself' and buy a cheap camcorder instead to lower the pressure and just start filming.

How do I get involved with Camcorder Club or get merch?

Josh suggests emailing hi@thedailytalkshow.com if interested in contributing as a filmmaker, and says the same email address will get you a secret link to buy Camcorder Club merch (hoodie, mug, t-shirt, stickers).

Should you put oil in an air fryer?

Josh insists a small amount of oil should be added for the air fryer to work properly, comparing skipping it to doing laundry without detergent.

How should parents handle disciplining a child in a public setting?

Josh suggests the key is being considerate of people around you and giving kids an upbringing where they know how to behave in public, while recognizing occasional misbehavior shouldn't stop you from taking them out; he also notes public discipline feels more fraught because of perceived judgment from onlookers.

Where should you take young kids to eat out?

Look for venues with attached playgrounds or indoor play areas (like Tempe in Templestowe or The Grand in Dandenong) so kids can burn energy while parents still get to have dinner and a drink.

How can I tell if I'm addicted to something like coffee or alcohol?

Try taking a full month off it; observing how your body and habits react during that break reveals your true level of dependency, since addiction 'doesn't speak, it just acts.'

What do you do if your Dyson fan shows an F4 error?

Disconnect the Dyson from its power source for exactly 60 seconds (no more, no less), then plug it back in to clear the fault.

What foods are acceptable to eat on public transport?

Mason suggests that only easily contained, low-smell snacks like a muesli bar, a bliss ball, or a banana are acceptable to eat on a tram; stronger-smelling foods like mandarins, apples, or cooked chicken should be avoided, especially on a crowded tram.

Where is it generally inappropriate to eat on the job?

Avoid eating in jobs or settings with strong smells or close public-facing contact, such as perfume shops, or in situations involving visible death/dignity concerns like transporting a body, since it comes across as disrespectful or impractical.

How do you figure out if something (like coffee) is causing anxiety?

Recognise when you're in a certain internal state, identify what's bringing it on, and if that cause is controllable, try eliminating it entirely for a period and observe how you feel without it.

How can you fit in a daily walk around a busy schedule?

Josh says he's worked out he needs to walk both morning and night, because leaving it only to the evening pushes the walk too late (e.g. 8:30pm for 90 minutes), so splitting it across the day works better.

How long can cooked rice safely sit before reheating?

Tommy warns that reheating rice that's been sitting out (even refrigerated) after cooking carries bacteria risk and should be approached cautiously.

How should you eat a grapefruit without making a mess?

Dig a spoon into the flesh of the grapefruit rather than scooping directly into the juicy centre, which otherwise squirts juice everywhere.

What sauce should you get with McDonald's chicken nuggets?

Barbecue sauce is recommended over sweet and sour sauce for chicken nuggets.

How do you do a fitness or health challenge without triggering disordered eating patterns?

Shift the focus from aesthetics/calories to performance — use tools like a heart rate monitor and train for specific heart rate zones rather than punishing the body for food, and recognize that many fitness/bikini competitions mask unhealthy relationships with food.

What are warning signs that someone might be struggling with disordered eating or mental health issues?

Watch for drastic mood changes, social isolation (declining invitations to dinners, drinks, parties), and behavioural changes around food and alcohol.

Should you try to moderate a habit or cut it out completely?

If something is a personal 'kryptonite,' it can be easier to cut it out completely rather than try to moderate it, because the grey area of 'just a little' creates ongoing internal negotiation and decision fatigue.

How can you avoid the stress of sharing food or not getting enough at a meal?

Order smaller, individually portioned food like sliders instead of a single large burger or shared tapas plates, so you can control exactly what and how much you eat without anxiety about running out or others taking your food.

How should parents handle nut-free policies when a child has clearly been eating peanut butter?

Do your best to wipe the child's face and hands before daycare, even though total removal (e.g. from clothing) is difficult.

Should you just order a coffee if you want to sit in a cafe for a while during COVID?

Order food, not just a drink, if you plan to occupy a table for an extended period, since cafes during COVID were under pressure to turn over tables and staff may ask patrons who only order coffee to leave.

How do you know if you might enjoy something like anal fingering if you haven't tried it?

Tully suggests you can't know you dislike something you haven't actually tried, comparing it to assuming you dislike a food before tasting it.

What ratio should I use when brewing filter coffee at home?

Use a 1:16 ratio of coffee to water (1 gram of coffee per 16ml of water) as a solid universal starting point, though some roasters recommend 1:15.

What's the 'correct' way to pick up and eat a burger?

Pick the burger up and keep the top bun on top (closest to your nose) as you bite, rather than rotating it so the top ends up at the bottom.

What should you do if a burn happens from cooking?

Run the burn under water rather than applying ice directly, since ice can further irritate or burn the skin.

How can someone control their coffee drinking habit?

If you don't have coffee available by default, it's easier to avoid overconsumption, similar to the rule of not keeping it in the house so you're not tempted when with other people who are having one.

How do you properly cook an eggplant to avoid bitterness?

Wet your knife before cutting the eggplant in half, score the flesh, salt it generously, leave it face-down on a rack for about 15 minutes to drain the bitter water, wipe with paper towel, insert whole (uncrushed) garlic cloves into the scores, then roast for about 40 minutes until the garlic purées.

What's a key tip for roasting a whole chicken?

Season the cavity of the chicken, not just the outside, and use whole garlic cloves along with onion wedges as a roasting base.

What's a better sales approach than naming your own price first?

Josh suggests that instead of stating a price upfront, you should ask the buyer what their budget is, since putting a number out first is where he's 'gone wrong' in sales previously.

How should greetings change post-coronavirus?

Drop handshakes in business contexts but keep hugging with a general rule for who gets hugged, and establish a clear signal (like a kiss sound effect) to avoid the awkward cheek-presenting-with-no-contact problem.

What heat should you cook bacon and eggs on?

According to professional cook Hayden Dibb, use medium to low heat rather than high heat, being patient to let the pan heat up properly first.

Should you split restaurant bills onto multiple cards when a venue says no splitting?

Tommy suggests framing the request carefully (asking to pay on two cards rather than 'splitting') and pushing back on made-up excuses like extra GST, though in his case the staff still refused.

How do you deal with social anxiety when meeting lots of new people?

Shift from feeling to curiosity: ask specific questions about the other person (e.g. about their children), smile and remember names, because emotion is contagious and curiosity pulls your focus out of your own head.

Should people avoid Chinese restaurants because of coronavirus fears?

Josh argues the statistical risk of catching coronavirus at a Chinese restaurant is extremely low, likening the fear to irrational fear of flying, and urges people to support affected businesses instead of avoiding them.

What should you expect after publicly calling out a company or organisation?

Expect backlash including people who disagree for various biases, and potentially even death threats, based on prior experience calling out 7-Eleven.

How can you pitch a partnership or collaboration via cold outreach?

Harry models a pitch that opens with a confident hook ('I've got an awesome opportunity for you'), frames the exchange as mutually beneficial (free advertising/promotion in return for access), and anticipates the other party's concerns by offering a practical solution (like reserving a private session) rather than asking for an open-ended favor.

How should beginners approach trying edibles for the first time?

Tommy recommends starting with a low-dose gummy rather than smoking or vaping, noting it takes about 10-15 minutes to kick in (versus 3 minutes for smoking), lasts a few hours, and typically ends with the person wanting to sleep rather than becoming erratic.

How can you avoid looking like a tourist while travelling?

Josh says he became overly sensitive to looking like a tourist and, for example, stopped wearing snapback caps while travelling in Europe for that reason.

Should you stick to a vegetarian diet even when travel options are limited?

Despite craving a 'real' burger at In-N-Out and almost caving, Josh stuck to the meatless option (a burger without the patty) rather than eating meat.

How can you maintain a healthy relationship with your body/appearance?

Practice gratitude for your body's basic functions (a working brain, a beating heart, working limbs) rather than focusing on appearance, treating the body as something you're 'renting.'

How should you handle unexpected or 'unfair' costs while traveling?

Accept that minor rip-offs (overpriced smoothies, pricey haircuts, a dodgy taxi fare) are part of the authentic travel experience rather than getting bogged down trying to avoid every small transaction going wrong.

How do you order coffee clearly so baristas get it right?

Lead with the coffee type first (e.g., flat white or latte), then specify size, strength, and milk type in that order, rather than starting with size or strength.

How can I make sure I actually follow through on getting a health check/blood test done?

Josh suggests booking an appointment immediately, getting the referral, and committing to a hard deadline (before Friday) so that procrastination doesn't push it indefinitely, and to go to a bulk-billing super clinic to avoid high costs.

How should you react when someone brings you a gift or food?

Josh advises waiting for the person to explicitly say something is for you rather than presuming immediately, to preserve the surprise and avoid seeming presumptuous.

How should you approach diet and nutrition?

There is no universal diet—everyone digests and reacts to food differently, so a personalised plan from a nutritionist is better than following one-size-fits-all trends. Avoid extremes in any direction, and a useful shopping rule is to stay around the outside of the supermarket (fruit, veg, dairy, meat, frozen berries) and avoid the inner aisles.

What's a good food hack when ordering pizza?

Order a side salad with your pizza instead of hot chips, since the pizza already provides plenty of carbs — a tip Tommy got from his friend Tommy D.

How do you stay a market leader when competitors copy your exclusive product?

Be willing to cut your margin to near cost price to keep your pricing unbeatable and maintain your position as the go-to seller, even if it upsets distributors and competitors.

Should you keep workplace snacks freely accessible?

Tommy's experience suggests tempting snacks like biscuits and lollies should be kept guest-only or out of easy reach, since staff (and visiting kids) will otherwise eat them instead of proper meals.

How do you get the best food at a Greek restaurant?

Tell a Greek waiter 'bring me whatever you think' instead of ordering off the menu yourself, because Greeks are proud and will bring out their best dishes rather than let you pick something mediocre.

Why do some people always complain their restaurant meal is cold?

Tommy suggests it's a self-fulfilling prophecy: if you go in expecting your meal to be cold, you set yourself up to notice and complain about it every time.

What should you do about consistently difficult clients?

Adopt a 'no-fuckwits policy' — stop accepting repeated poor treatment from clients (e.g., last-minute cancellations, long payment terms) and choose not to work with them rather than seeing yourself as a victim.

How can you find time for new projects when you feel too busy?

Recognise that lack of time is usually a prioritisation problem, not an actual lack of time — if you can add more shows/recording and production despite complaining about no time, you can make room for what matters.

When should you leave a negative hotel/restaurant review?

Leave the review only after you have left the place, rather than while you're still staying there, to avoid an awkward confrontation with staff or owners.

Why might a 2-star review be more effective than a 1-star review?

Giving a 2-star rating rather than 1-star seems less vindictive, so it may carry more credibility/clout with readers while still being critical.

How do you make sure you get the most of your favourite ice cream flavour?

When ordering a two-scoop, ask for only one flavour (your favourite) rather than two, and put it in first so you get more of it rather than risking it being skimped on as the second scoop.

How can I tell if frozen vegetables are safe to eat without cooking?

Check the packaging: some frozen spinach (like certain Aldi products) is pre-cooked and safe as-is, while other brands require cooking before consumption — always check the back-of-pack instructions.

How should customer-facing staff handle closing time?

Josh argues that staff shouldn't transfer their own closing-time anxiety onto customers, noting that from a business perspective it damages the brand if customers are treated poorly just because closing time is near.

How do you balance health-consciousness without it becoming unhealthy obsession?

Tommy suggests it's fine to geek out and become temporarily obsessed with learning about food and what works for your body in order to eventually find a sustainable 'middle ground' of loose but consistent habits (meditating daily, training every second day, mostly watching what you eat).

What's a better drink choice than doing vodka shots on a night out?

Gemma Watts suggests that instead of vodka shots, people should call her ('Auntie Gemma') first, and that a better shot choice is good aged tequila, ideally with a worm in the bottle.

How do you do a Tim Tam Slam?

Bite off both ends of the Tim Tam and use it as a straw to suck up a drink like Big M milk through the biscuit before it dissolves.

How do you properly recycle soft plastics like bread bags and bubble wrap?

Scrunch the plastic into a ball to identify it as soft plastic, then recycle it via Redcycle bins at Coles or Woolworths, or in some councils bag it separately and put it in your regular recycling bin.

How can you avoid your home/office smelling bad from cooking fish?

Cook strong-smelling food like fish outside on a barbecue/Weber rather than indoors on a stovetop or sandwich press, to avoid lingering smells.

How do you actually get the free 7-Eleven coffee voucher deal?

Go to a 7-Eleven between roughly 2:30 and 2:50pm when the coffee machine is being cleaned storewide, point out the machine is out of order, and ask for the advertised $1 voucher as described in an online post — but don't expect them to actually make you a coffee.

How can couples avoid wasting food and money at restaurants?

Get in the habit of sharing one main meal between partners rather than both ordering separate mains, which reduces wasted food on the plate.

How do you efficiently manage Indian takeaway leftovers?

Mix curries and rice together into fewer containers rather than keeping everything separate, to save on containers and space.

How do you change an unhelpful habit or belief (e.g. around food)?

Identify and write down your limiting beliefs (e.g. 'if it's in the house I'll eat it') and consciously challenge and replace them with a new belief that reflects the choice you actually want to make.

How do I get started with therapy if I'm avoiding it due to logistics/anxiety?

Tommy suggests pushing through the administrative bullshit and excuses (like needing to get a haircut first) because the benefit of going, even reluctantly, outweighs the discomfort of appointments and vulnerability.

What's a good strategy for fitting gym time into a busy schedule?

Josh and Tommy discuss settling on a late-afternoon slot (around 4pm) for gym sessions to avoid backtracking and to work around school pickups and declining productivity after 3pm.

Should you eat sugar-free diet snacks while dieting?

Tommy warns against sugar-free products (like sugar-free jelly and gummy bears) based on his own dieting experience, saying they made him feel sick and excessively gassy.

How can you find old photos quickly once they're on Google Photos?

Josh suggests simply typing in a person's name, a place, or an approximate date/month into Google Photos search to instantly surface relevant old photos during a conversation.

What should you do if you want a paid app or subscription but can't afford it?

Tommy suggests simply emailing the company/creator directly to explain you can't afford it; in his case emailing Sam Harris's Waking Up team got him a free one-year subscription, which he planned to repay later via donation once financially able.

How do you manage trigger foods in a shared household?

Removing tempting food entirely from the house can reduce personal willpower strain, but it has knock-on effects on partners or family who may want or need that food, so it requires negotiating between personal goals and the needs of people you live with.

How do you balance strategic eating goals with social/family eating expectations?

Identify where you can be flexible (e.g., eating more when out socially but less when alone) rather than applying rigid rules everywhere, and try to align personal dietary goals with the expectations of partners or family, such as eating a smaller lunch to still share dinner together.

How can a nursing student earn money during university without working fast food?

Look for paid work connected to the field you're studying, such as support/care work for people with disabilities through organisations (e.g. Hearth Australia) that need consistent young workers with flexible hours — this builds relevant real-world skills (patience, care, relationship-building) that will make you better at your eventual profession, not just provide income.

Is freelancing a good idea for young people just starting out?

Freelancing is overrated when you're young; it's better to be around people, learn processes, and see how others work before striking out on your own, partly for the added security of structured employment.

How can you get a free add-on like chocolate fudge at a fast food counter?

Josh suggests using the 'special request' button for soft serve orders and asking for an item like chocolate fudge by framing it as a special request rather than paying for an add-on upfront.

What should you do if a restaurant dish isn't quite right?

It's fine to ask for a small addition (like extra tzatziki) to fix a dish rather than sending the whole thing back, since you're still paying for a meal at a restaurant.

How can you make a long road trip with a toddler more manageable?

Break the trip into two shorter legs with an overnight stay rather than driving it all in one go, even though it costs extra for accommodation, as it makes the drive feel easier.

How should you approach starting a new fitness routine after a long break?

Ease into training gradually ('soft to hard') rather than going all-out immediately, because overdoing it early can cause injury or burnout that makes you want to quit altogether.

Is it better to quit a habit entirely or try to moderate it?

Josh argues that halfway measures (like 'only drinking wine' or 'only dark chocolate') are usually just self-justifications that don't address the underlying issue, suggesting that for him a full year off alcohol is the only way to properly test and break the pattern.

How do you know if a habit is actually a problem?

Tommy cites a government definition: addiction is a physical or psychological need to do or use something to the point it becomes harmful; Josh adds the question of whether the substance is effectively 'putting poison in your body' regardless of frequency.

How do competitive eaters train their bodies to eat large quantities?

Hulk Smash advises that competitive eating is largely mental—top eaters learn to 'switch off' the normal feeling of fullness—and that the gag reflex can be trained out over time, alongside physical training/practice.

Is it true microwaving food destroys its nutrients ('nukes' it)?

Tommy says he learned that microwaving doesn't actually destroy the macronutrients in food even if you overcook it — it can dry food out, but it doesn't 'ruin' it the way people assume when they say 'nuke it.'

Is it okay to ask for a doggy bag at a restaurant?

Restaurants in Victoria are legally allowed to provide doggy bags at their discretion, so it's fine to ask directly rather than feel awkward about it.

How should a company respond when a viral video criticizes its product?

Front-foot the issue with transparency and honesty rather than staying silent — treat it as an opportunity to communicate in a fun way rather than being defensive, since the company is big enough to absorb the criticism and could even turn it into good publicity.

How much food should you order when catering a party?

Always order more than you think you need (e.g., more pizzas) because running out upsets guests, and leftovers aren't a real downside.

How should you eat an oyster properly?

Don't over-chew the oyster; you're meant to swallow it whole or chew it just once rather than chewing multiple times.

Should you try to blend in or avoid looking like a tourist when travelling?

Embrace being a tourist rather than trying to act like a local, since trying not to be what you obviously are is pointless ('naff') and anything else is impossible to pull off convincingly.

What should you watch out for when parking a rental car in small Italian towns?

Josh advises being pedantic about which lines you park in (blue vs white) since local councils can issue large fines (reportedly up to $600) in Italian-only signage that get charged directly to your rental car's credit card without much recourse.

How should you order spicy food at a restaurant where staff speak English as a second language?

Avoid using the word 'spicy' altogether (even to say 'not spicy') since it may be misheard as a request for very spicy food; use a word like 'mild' instead.

How do you cope with the ego hit of stepping back from a media/radio career into a lower-status job?

Recognize that the discomfort is mostly self-generated by ego, and use the perspective shift as a valuable experience rather than something to be embarrassed about.

How do you know if a new on-air co-host pairing will actually work?

Spend real time together off-air first (Jack flew to London for a week) to see if you naturally get along, because capability alone doesn't guarantee two people will mesh well as a duo on air.

Is it worth visiting North Korea as a curious traveller?

If you have the curiosity and the means, it's worth going — the experience is unlike anywhere else and shouldn't be judged purely through sensationalist media narratives.

How can people with different religious or cultural views coexist peacefully?

Practice tolerance of each other and avoid insisting that other people do things your way, rather than trying to force your own way onto others.

How should products or practices like halal food be handled for transparency?

Ensure proper labelling so that people are given the information to make their own informed decisions, rather than leaving them uninformed about how products are made.

How do you find good local restaurants while traveling instead of planning in advance?

Skip hiring a virtual assistant to pre-research everything — just ask locals or fellow travellers in person (e.g., on a train) for restaurant recommendations, which led to discovering some of the best meals of the trip.

What's the etiquette for taking kids to restaurants?

Avoid bringing a screaming or loud kid to a nice, quiet restaurant; it's more acceptable at outdoor dining or already loud venues. Keep kids out the front of cafes in a pram and order takeaway so you can leave quickly if needed.

What should you consider before joking about being contagious around others?

Josh notes that people can be very sensitive about illness and don't appreciate jokes about contagiousness, implying it's worth reading the room before making light of being sick.

How do I know if a food is actually healthy?

Ignore the marketing on the front of food packaging and read the ingredients/nutrition panel on the back; if it's full of unrecognizable numbers (preservatives, emulsifiers, flavours), avoid it, and watch especially for added sugar.