Advice on show lore & segments.

What should you do at the first sign of a cold sore?

Take Famvir tablets (three) as soon as you feel it coming on to stop it from fully developing.

How should you handle requests from fans or guests on a podcast?

George says his approach, learned from working with Hump Day Replay guests, is that if someone asks for something, you should just give it to them.

How do you get your script considered for a Daily Talk Show table read?

Email hi@thedailytalkshow.com with the subject line 'screenwriting' to register interest; keep scripts to a limited length (around 3 pages) for timing purposes.

How should actors approach a table read?

Perform the table read with real energy as if in front of a camera, since a subpar performance can affect casting decisions — but stick to reading the actual script rather than improvising new lines.

How do you come up with a strong concept for a script or podcast?

Read 'Save the Cat' to learn how to craft a strong one-sentence logline, as this process is also useful for shaping podcast concepts.

What happens if you email The Daily Talk Show?

The hosts commit to always responding to listener emails — either with a direct reply, a reply plus reading it on air, or at least reading and discussing it on the show, rather than leaving emails unanswered.

How should video call boxes be arranged so people look like they're making eye contact on screen?

Make sure the boxes/eye-lines of participants are positioned so they appear to be looking toward each other rather than away, which requires planning the on-screen layout in advance.

Should you buy an electric blanket?

Josh expresses reluctance due to fire safety concerns, questioning how often electric blanket fires actually occur, while Tommy challenges this paranoia as overblown.

How should you approach your accountant if you're having financial trouble?

Have an initial conversation that's direct about your circumstance, ask if they can help, and explore what the potential options are.

How should you deal with difficult or annoying people ('wankers') in life or work?

Just put up with the wankers and keep working hard — push through rather than letting them stop you.

How do you push past reluctance to do something new or slightly uncomfortable (like going to the bottle shop)?

Tommy and Josh argue that life's best and most rewarding experiences aren't easy, and that choosing the 'brave' option over the 'easy' one (even something as small as visiting the bottle shop) is worthwhile and builds character.

How can you tell if someone you're interested in is publicly tagged in content elsewhere online (dating advice)?

If you can type someone's name into a search and content appears publicly, it's considered public information worth checking before pursuing someone.

What should people do during lockdown regarding social gatherings?

Don't go out drinking in parks or congregating with others during the pandemic lockdown — staying indoors and following restrictions is important.

How should someone handle pressure or overthinking around having sex for the first time?

Mason Lauder says he avoids overthinking by not putting himself in situations that could lead to sex, while Tommy and Josh suggest not forcing or rushing it and letting it happen naturally.

How should a business owner delegate and grow a team member?

Accept that a junior team member's first attempts will be far worse than your own (a '2 out of 10' versus your '10 out of 10'), but let them do the task anyway so they can progress from white belt to black belt, and actively ask them for their own ideas rather than assuming you have a monopoly on good ones.

How can you turn a big dream into reality?

Dylan advises that seemingly far-off goals (like moving abroad for an internship) are achievable if you have the idea, put your mind to it, and 'get your shit in order' to follow through, even though at the outset it may feel like 'super blue sky thinking.'

Is nightclubbing or a wine bar better for a young guy trying to meet someone?

Nightclubs create more unpredictable, exciting nights with higher potential for spontaneous connections, whereas wine bars are calmer and may suit older or more confident people better.

How should I think about budgeting versus earning more money?

Tommy suggests there's a time for both approaches: preparing for financial hardship by budgeting is wise, but becoming overly tight and restricting life enjoyment is also a trap; choosing a positive outlook of 'we'll make more money if needed' has value too.

What does 'breaking your seal' mean when drinking?

Once you feel the urge to pee after starting to drink and give in to it, you'll continue needing to pee frequently for the rest of the night — there's no going back once you break the seal.

How far in advance should you announce something publicly?

Don't announce too far ahead—more than about a month out and people lose interest; it's better to announce once plans are confirmed rather than too early.

How do you succeed as a new or inexperienced broadcaster?

Bring energy above all else; Karl Stefanovic told Fordham on his first TV day that any shortcomings in experience or knowledge will be disguised by great energy.

How can someone create a life-changing opportunity for themselves like Dylan's internship abroad?

Dylan says there's no formula to give someone else; you have to want it for yourself and take concrete action — such as sending the emails and actually booking the flight — because 'opportunity doesn't wait for anybody' and won't wait until you have enough time or money.

How can you snap out of a negative mental spiral?

Tommy describes catching himself in a negative spiral ('a frump') and consciously choosing to reframe the situation as the best possible one, which stopped the spiral.

How should I think about outsourcing creative work as a solo content creator?

Tommy says if he had one assistant, he'd outsource post-production distribution and optimisation (posting, repurposing into smaller edited pieces) while keeping the core editing himself, since he finds personal satisfaction in that 'pain'.

Should a podcast/media business still bother building a proper website?

Josh argues yes: a dedicated website legitimises the brand, gives listeners one curated place to browse past episodes, photos and video, and supports building an email list, even though many people primarily discover content via Instagram.

How should couples handle access to home security camera footage during arguments?

Josh and Bree set a hard rule that even though they could review security footage to settle disagreements about what was said, they never do, to avoid setting a precedent of relitigating fights with recordings.

How should a growing show/business scale up its workload without burning out?

Tommy suggests stretching gradually rather than jumping straight to the hardest version of the schedule, comparing it to how doing 7 days a week would have felt impossible a few months earlier but now feels manageable given a better studio setup.

How should someone who is hesitant and closed-off approach getting back into dating?

Gemma Watts advises against relying on alcohol as a 'social lubricant' and instead recommends simply being out and visibly open to meeting people, plus being willing to pick up the phone and call rather than only messaging on Instagram.

What advice is commonly given to people in their 20s about relationships?

Date more, even if the person giving the advice admits they didn't do it themselves.

How do you convince someone to agree to a second date after a long gap?

Give the person a compelling reason she can't say no to, rather than just apologising for disappearing, since reappearing after months without explanation will make her apprehensive.

How should Mr. 97 approach dating to build a real connection?

Get on the phone and actually speak rather than relying on text messages; if you're feeling nervous but want to communicate, act on that want because texting creates heightened but ultimately hollow excitement lacking real elements of communication like seeing, smelling, and touching.

How should I approach going on a date, especially if I'm nervous or inexperienced?

Reframe it away from 'going on a date' to just having an experience with another person without expecting a particular outcome; focus on listening, being genuinely present and asking good questions rather than trying to impress, since trying to be impressive is the least impressive thing you can do.

How should you handle arranging a first date when timing keeps falling through?

Front-foot it by proposing a specific time and taking the lead on arranging the date rather than waiting passively.

How should you ask someone out on a date to avoid ambiguity?

Lead with specific date options rather than vague suggestions — e.g. propose a concrete day and time rather than leaving it open-ended.

Should you go all-out on a first date?

Don't go full-on with elaborate plans (like cooking dinner and walking dogs together) on a first date; it may be better to ease in with something more low-key.

Should someone going on a lot of first dates disclose upfront that they'll be discussed on a podcast?

Tommy advises against using a scripted disclaimer or 'release form,' suggesting instead to just be authentic, keep early dates low-key (coffee or a walk rather than dinner), and let compatibility naturally surface rather than over-explaining the podcast arrangement.

How can you turn pre-event nerves into something positive?

Reframe nervousness as excitement/anticipation rather than trying to suppress it, and notice where in your body you feel it (e.g., heart rate) as a way to process it.

What should you put on your dating app profile photos?

Lead with a recent, authentic photo of yourself rather than an old or heavily edited one, since the truth will come out eventually when you meet in person.

Should you buy souvenirs when travelling overseas?

Avoid buying souvenirs ('life trap') because most end up unused, forgotten, or stuck in storage rather than genuinely valued.

Is it safe to ship purchases home from overseas rather than carry them?

Be cautious with cheap shipping services from overseas vendors, as packages can go missing; if shipping items home, use a reputable/premium courier.

How do you stop pickpockets from targeting you while travelling?

Vary how your hands move near your pockets — Josh suggests a 'double sway' every few steps rather than a consistent pattern, so pickpockets can't predict when to strike.

How do you avoid the 'fizzy water' surprise when ordering water abroad?

Josh flags it as a 'life trap' to be aware that ordering water in a non-English-speaking country can unexpectedly get you fizzy water, so be prepared for the shock before taking a sip.