Cars, Driving & Getting Around
184 episodes · 2018–2021 · 62 debates · 75 pieces of advice · 230 stories · 149 quotes
The Daily Talk Show — Australia’s daily podcast, hosted by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen — discussed cars, driving & getting around across 184 of its 1,022 daily episodes between 2018 and 2021. This page collects what was actually said: 149 verbatim quotes, 75 pieces of advice, 230 stories told on air, 62 on-air debates, each linked to the exact moment in the episode and on YouTube.
Where they stand
Moments where the table disagreed, straight from the transcripts.
Argues a parking fine is far less annoying than having a car towed, since a fine can be paid quietly without the owner knowing, while towing is immediately stressful and intrusive.
Agrees towing is worse, recalling he was relieved to get a big fine rather than have his car towed from a keep-clear zone.
whether sparkling/soda water is good for hydration
Ep 100027:12Lightly sparkling water without added sodium is a good way to get people to drink more water, though he acknowledges dentists warn about enamel effects.
Feels that drinking a lot of sparkling water and coffee leaves him feeling dehydrated, comparing the feeling to having 'no fluid' in his spine.
Suggests Tommy clearly needs cameras given the mystery cat and nearby car break-ins.
Agrees cameras would help but is unsure how much to spend and hasn't committed to buying any yet.
Argues fixed-price servicing isn't really fixed because additional repairs get tacked on, making it not fixed at all.
Argues it is fixed price for the standard service; extra costs only apply if something is actually wrong with the car, which is a separate issue.
Feels generally 'triggered' by PTs, citing a history of awkward and dramatic encounters (Kickstarter pitches, CrossFit filming, injuries from kettlebell swings), and feels the common PT trope of 'making it fun' usually falls flat because PTs themselves often aren't fun people.
Acknowledges a common negative PT stereotype but argues there are genuinely good, analytical PTs (citing their friend Durham) who suit people who like tracking data, and that the mismatch is partly about pairing the wrong PT personality with Josh's awkwardness.
Tommy
Suggests wealthy people who don't care at all about their nice belongings seem 'detached,' implying some level of care is normal and good.
Josh
Argues it's not simply about having money and not caring; even wealthy people can feel the same emotional attachment to possessions, and grappling with that emotion is just part of being human.
Suggests leaks may serve stakeholders who feel people need information now, and wonders if Dan Andrews might be leaking his own information strategically.
Views the leaking as politically motivated, possibly by someone with Labor Party sympathies within circles close to the information, and compares it to decades-long strategic leaking of damaging photos in US politics.
Believes two sliders are roughly the same size as one burger.
Believes two sliders are bigger than one regular burger.
Flashes headlights even when there's no cop, as a way to get people to slow down regardless.
Considers it illegal but debates whether to do it when there genuinely is a police car ahead, ultimately regretting not doing more to warn a driver who got caught.
Found the film terrible but loved it anyway and recommended it.
Organized a watch party based on the recommendation that built up suspense, but the experience/film didn't live up to expectations.
Headlights should just be left on all the time so you never have to think about it.
Also prefers lights on all the time regardless of time of day.
Favours automatic headlights that turn on at night by themselves, as in his newer Volkswagen Golf.
Thinks seeing a cool character (like Brad Pitt) smoke in a movie genuinely looks cool, even if he's not saying smoking itself is cool.
Feels it's different in real life versus film ('in their spare time, they're on the ciggies... I'm never going to do that'), distancing himself from finding it appealing.
Advice from the show
all 75pieces →What was actually said, attributed and linked to the moment.
How should a business decide on team-building or office perks?
Josh suggests tailoring activities to what the least-enthusiastic team member (in this case Jess) would actually enjoy, rather than defaulting to things like golf that not everyone likes.
How do you get better-tasting sparkling water at home?
Josh and Jules recommend a SodaStream with a glass bottle attachment rather than the standard plastic bottle, noting plastic can impart a gunky taste, while cautioning that a faulty lid can occasionally make water taste off.
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's the key lesson for a long remote road trip like driving to the Twelve Apostles?
Plan out exactly where you'll refuel in advance rather than assuming a petrol station will appear — remote stretches can go much longer than expected without services.
How do you protect your home from car break-ins?
Install at least one security camera covering the driveway and front door area, starting simple rather than waiting for a perfect setup.
How can someone stay motivated when starting an exercise routine on a stationary bike?
Use an immersive screen/distraction (like a show or video) to make the time pass faster; as fitness improves, duration that once felt long (e.g., 20 minutes) will feel shorter, so building the routine around a distraction like TV helps sustain it.
How can I stop forgetting tasks my partner asks me to do repeatedly?
Write tasks down immediately when they're mentioned in conversation, using a note-taking app or 'second brain' system, rather than relying on memory; consider putting recurring tasks like car servicing into a calendar as a recurring event.
What's the trick to making exercise feel fun rather than punishing when starting out?
Build a small base of fitness/strength first by training slowly and allowing rest between sets; trying to jump straight into high-intensity, 'fun' fast-paced workouts before you have a base will physically destroy a beginner and put them off continuing.
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.
When is the best time to start planning New Year's resolutions?
Start embedding resolutions in your mind from December 1st rather than waiting until January, to avoid carrying negative momentum from an indulgent December into the new year.
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').
Does discipline have to be extreme to be effective?
Josh pushes back, suggesting discipline doesn't need to be an extreme all-or-nothing approach; it can simply mean committing to properly do any task that takes more than two minutes, rather than avoiding or half-doing it.
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.
How do you stop waiting around for the 'right setup' before starting a creative habit?
If you keep telling yourself a story that you need a certain item or space before you can start something, just go get the thing immediately — that removes your excuse and story.
How can you build a new habit like exercise into your routine?
Pair a new habit (like riding an exercise bike) with an existing enjoyed behavior (like watching documentaries), effectively 'habit stacking' to make the new habit stick.
How should a business handle delivery platforms like Uber Eats?
Use delivery apps only as a temporary necessity; push customers to order directly by promoting your own phone number/call centre, since platforms take ~30% and the business can't legally be stopped from directing customers elsewhere.
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.
How can I get discounted food delivery from local Australian businesses?
Use Uber Eats promo codes like 'AU support local' which rotate themed discounts (e.g. 30% off Mexican restaurants one day), reportedly with Uber Eats absorbing the commission rather than the business losing out.
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.
how do you deal with creative self-doubt when reviewing your own work?
Dil Takes Photos says he always focuses on the story and audience experience rather than technique, and acknowledges he tends to only see what he did wrong when reviewing his own content, but doesn't let that stop him from pushing to try new things.
How can I get cheaper Uber Eats delivery during lockdown?
Josh suggests that ING customers can activate a promotion running until the end of April for free delivery, and gold-tier Uber members can get an extra 15% off for a limited time.
Stories told on air
Josh tells a story about a man knocking on his parents' door in Phillip Island to invite his dad to a Chevy car club, which leads to a tangent about his dad actually belonging to a different, highly political car club full of bickering members.
told by Josh
Jess describes growing up around car racing, with her dad and grandfather racing a car called a 'Turner' at tracks like Winton, including memories of the smell, sounds, and a skid-out scare.
told by Jess Lucas
After failing to buy chicken feet from a butcher for a planned handbag prank, Josh retrieved the rotten chicken foot from the office bin and folded it inside a fake parking fine left on Jess's car; her reaction was muted, but Josh later got her back by clucking like a chicken, prompting a bigger scare.
told by Josh Janssen and Tommy Jackett
Josh recounts a bike alarm he owned as a kid that would shout 'Stolen bike!' whenever the bike was moved, which ironically caused it to be 'stolen' by neighbours as a prank nearly every day, prompting him to run outside in his pyjamas.
told by Josh Janssen
David the Gronk putts for a McDonald's cup
Ep 100043:57A passer-by named David, who discovered the show via a Craig Harper podcast appearance, comes in from a rugby game, successfully putts a golf ball, and is rewarded with McDonald's chips.
told by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen
Tommy recounts a same-day incident at a film shoot where he nearly lied to a remote parking attendant about how long he'd parked (to get a cheaper early-bird rate) but instead told the truth and paid $73, using it as a live example of catching himself before lying.
told by Tommy Jackett
Josh briefly recounts an instance of feeling so overwhelmed when asked what he wanted at a bagel shop in New York that he simply walked out.
told by Josh Janssen
Tommy describes his son Bodhi progressing from a balance bike to a pedal bike with no training wheels, practicing in a fenced-off car park, and succeeding immediately thanks to balance skills already learned.
told by Tommy Jackett
Josh reads breaking news about Tiger Woods' car crash, including an initial claim that he was cut out with the 'jaws of life,' which was later corrected by a tweet saying firefighters instead broke through the windshield.
told by Josh Janssen
Josh describes being on a quad bike a few months prior and hearing from a mate that new quad bikes in Australia now require roll cages due to stricter safety laws, effectively halting new imports from major brands.
told by Josh Janssen
Tommy recounts seeing a smashed car window near his home, talking to a neighbour whose sons once caught a local thief, and later learning a chauffeur neighbour had two phones stolen from his BMW, with detectives tracking a suspect in a white ute.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy is woken at night by a cat meowing outside his bedroom door, later finds dog-like droppings in his backyard and spends the episode trying to work out whether a cat or an intruding dog is responsible, eventually deciding it was the cat.
told by Tommy Jackett
Josh recalls at 18 doing a contra/sponsorship deal filming a PT who ate a Magnum ice cream and then worked out to show how many calories it took to burn off, but Josh never ended up using the footage, part of a pattern of awkward entanglements with PTs' side projects.
told by Josh
Tommy's car battery died completely overnight; he borrowed a USB jump-start box from Amy's sister, got the car running, but learned that turning the engine off before it fully recharged meant it wouldn't restart, leading him to keep the car running during errands until he could get a replacement battery installed at home.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy recalls his parents always telling him an earlier departure time than the real one so he'd be ready on time, a lying strategy he only recognized in hindsight.
told by Tommy Jackett
Josh describes standing on a street corner with his AirPods on a transparent audio setting, hearing a loud noise he initially thought was a headphone malfunction, which turned out to be a car accident happening nearby; he then felt awkwardly positioned as an unintentional witness to the drivers sorting it out.
told by Josh Janssen
Tommy recalls opting out of paid assembly for a complex cable crossover machine, instead paying a technically-skilled friend in kebabs and a six-pack to help put it together, ending up with a leftover unidentified part.
told by Josh
Josh orders a thick shake via Uber Eats; after a long wait the rider cancels mid-delivery. Josh initially worries about the rider's wellbeing, jokes about a tram track mishap, then reorders from a different, closer shop.
told by Josh Janssen
In their words
“This is like you've walked into a village with somebody that you just killed and you've dumped them on the floor, said, there's my victim.”
“Stolen bike! Stolen bike!”
“We've committed to do the Daily Talk Show for 10 years.”
“this is how young people die in cars, because young people do stupid shit.”
“It's interesting because from a culture perspective, I think that where we go with lying is what is culturally acceptable.”
“Nearly running out of petrol made the whole road trip, like, how grateful do you become for petrol when you nearly run out?”
“We suffer more in our imagination than in reality. Yeah, that's good, isn't it?”
“I think I'm still— I'm not joking, I think I'm still dehydrated from the Grampians.”
“You won't be able to feel your anus pretty soon, is what I'm saying.”
“Why are we giving people that aren't fun, why are we putting them in charge of fun?”
“I was panicked though, you know, as soon as you say— it's like Tom Cruise, you know, defusing a bomb.”
“You know what you're doing right there? You're being in the moment.”
“Babe, we're not just buying a bike, we're buying a TV.”
“Takes one car to T-bone you, doesn't it?”
“I back off if I see that they've got fucking dents in the car. I'm like, this guy's a maniac.”
“There's something really bogan about it. But yes, we did. Dad even bought the Chevy badge to replace the Holden badge.”
“I think discipline potentially overstates the thing that needs to be done. It's like, it doesn't have to be crazy and hard.”
“The Daily Talk Show becomes big in 2050, you know, what's gonna happen?”