Helping Friendly Podcast

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Music #246Music History #28

The Helping Friendly Podcast (HFPod) explores the music and fan experience of Phish, through interviews and deep dives on shows and tours. Since 2013, we’ve aimed to bring the fan voice into discussions about Phish, and with the help of our guests, we’re still discovering new angles of appreciation for the band. And when the band is on tour, we provide a review of every show the following day with a fan who was there. As one of our listeners said, “this show has impeccable analysis, stats, commentary and music.” Join us!

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Recent Reviews
  • Diamond Angel
    Love it. Fun and educational.
    It’s ro-GAY and it’s spectacular.
  • 092336
    If you love Phish you’ll love HFP!
    Discovered this awesome podcast a couple of years ago from a friend, and have been hooked ever since. I love their in depth look at phish’s music and sharing their highlights, must listen to shows, and jams. Really appreciate their quick hits after all of the tours or “runs” that the band does. I loved their 40 for 40 which helped me discover so much earlier material that intrigued me to go back and listened to these amazing and formative years. Thanks HFP for an awesome show! Love hearing all your favorite highlights and recommendations! Would love to have access to a list HFP PICKS! Like an HFP playlist on LivePhish would be awesome! Thanks Megan for making those earlier ones. Keep up the great work!
  • SoFreshnSoClean
    For the love of Phish
    Huge 1.0 phan here and loving the top 25 tours of all time theme they are doing in 2024. Haven’t missed an episode! I also greatly enjoyed their take on each section of Summer 2024. I do suggest scrolling forward 20 minutes or so into each episode when they finally start talking about what we’re here for. Typically chitchat about random stuff before that and can meander, however, once they get into analyzing the show, the tour, etc. I think you get unique takes from 3 well-seasoned, encyclopedic knowledge fans, who clearly put their time in listening and having informed opinions. RJ is a great host, asks thought provoking questions, and leave space for people to answer. Brian’s knowledge and attention to detail in jams and styles is really impressive and I always learn something. Meghan describes performances vividly and colorfully and her energy, enthusiasm, and love for Phish me smile. It’s a good balance of critique and celebration of the greatest band in the world. Please keep this going!
  • profClark
    Mandatory Phish Listening
    RJ, Brian, Megan and Jonathan bring decades of show-going experiences and statisical wizardry to present the listener an enjoyable listen every time, whether with show recaps, drafts or top tour breakdowns. Keep on keeping on HF Pod Team!
  • ejazz2474
    Thanks
    You are some good kids!
  • B. Soule
    Fun, playful, and educational
    This group nails Phish analysis. They are fun, playful, all while providing excellent analysis. I always finish the pod with fun homework, too!
  • Reviewer 4725
    Thanks for everything
    Please continue with the ambience.
  • Zack0513
    Great Phish podcast even for a novice
    Love listening to these! I’m pretty big fish fan, but don’t know or can’t remember a lot of the nuances about the band and their music. This podcast helps me fill in the blanks, that I’ll undoubtedly forget in a couple of weeks.
  • BobbyShirley
    Love this podcast!
    One of my top favorites. Always jumps to the top of my queue when a new episode drops.
  • oowiejdjxjd
    Bad move
    Hey rj. Tom is a nice guy and has good insight. But his worst qualities are as a host and an interviewer. His questions are too long. He interjects himself and asks what people think about him too much. And he interrupts people answering all the time. I really think you should rethink his role as the ‘Captain’ of Undermine. You need someone who actually can act as a ‘host’ and not someone who sees himself as one of the ‘stars.’ The female host uses the word ‘like’ way too much. It’s super distracting.
  • sp0ttedstr1per
    love it
    literally dosing myself with sunset lake CBD and listening while doing the dishes. i love this show! Side note…can someone please teach Brian how to pronounce “ethereal”, “ambient”, and “cacophonous” PLEASE.
  • sophie wilson jr
    Boring
    Boring boring…..listening to 2 monotone phish geeks and a girl who only seems to know 2 adjectives, awesome and amazing……keep your day jobs If you want a good phish podcast I would suggest Undermine.
  • Rakster124
    Prime Phish Content
    Love hearing the discussions!! Rock on
  • ubik50
    I have to leave a review
    They just read a 1 star review on the show, and since I’ve yet to leave a review, I thought I would leave a 5 star to balance out that review. I enjoy the show and never miss it.
  • lmprsv
    Top Shelf Content
    Any Phish fans that enjoy meandering conversations and incredible insight on new and old Phish shows, this is for you! Highly recommend
  • dazehill
    Please learn how to captivate
    15 minutes in and not one thoughtful comment has been made. Talking about being tired and just bantering for 15 minutes. Can’t do it and so wanted to hear the AC recap. Low production value. Need training on how to captivate and entertain listeners not themselves.
  • ecs12032
    So awesome
    Love this show and I especially love how much Megan adds! This is my go-to phish podcast
  • 😎🤓💩😺
    Great Phish Pod!
    Love the pod! It has become part of my post show/full circle show experience. Thanks for what you do!
  • field 3
    Always remember where you were
    This pod of mine, I can see right through! Love it so much, I’ll leave this review! Enjoying the summer 2022 episodes! Can’t wait to tune into the next!!
  • Rockstreet555
    The go to pod for on tour information
    Love the show by show live recaps of each phish show! Mandatory pre-show listening!
  • JTPhace
    What about Charlotte 2019 - isn’t that a teeezer fest?
    Awesomeness
  • skydog-disciple
    Sinnamon
    This a good, fun, serious podcast
  • Jenny Jerry Jerry
    Pretty good
    Pretty good - lacking in actual musicians. Many cringes when they try and talk technically about the music - they will say “stage right” when in fact they mean stage left. Stop using the word “modulate” you don’t know what it means. Talk about the crowd experience and such is fine but please stop talking about musical specifics unless you bring in a musician to comment
  • GMan Memphis
    Flow
    Flow is one of the main reasons to listen to this band.
  • yanks phan
    Great recap
    Awesome job guys
  • Bocaphreak
    HFP rocks!
    Awesome discussions of our Phavorite band. Humor, sarcasm
  • Runnerdad77
    Late to the show
    I absolutely cannot believe that I am just discovering this near the end of 2020. I’ve been a phan for 22 years since 8/1/98 and I absolutely love the quick hits. Sad I haven’t been listening all these years. Keep it going!
  • phammertime33
    This episode is AMAZING!
    Helping Friendly pod is always incredible and I appreciate the time and effort put into the show. Always love the banter and updates from the community but this episode w/ Sadler Vader is next level. Excellent research and knowledge. Love hearing from musicians I love talk about their music and the music of Phish. Perfect 5!
  • Sgt. Peepaw
    Community.
    It’s endlessly refreshing to know that someone else loves this band as much as I do. I’m a mid-20s fan and feel so lucky to have this podcast at my fingertips. Insightful, often funny, extremely entertaining content surrounding the band we all love. Long live HF pod!
  • megangli
    Love HF Pod!
    These guys know Phish, but they also have a wealth of musical knowledge in general. I always learn so much listening to this show, but the info is presented in a casual way so you really feel like you’re a part of the conversation.
  • Dreadpiratemay
    Thanks
    Hey I really appreciate what you are doing and I feel a part of the conversation as some of my views are usually reflected by at least one of you. I just finished the 96 show and agree that is such an odd year. While you mentioned the lack of new material I think a part of the challenge for this year was the shifting in size of venues and at the same the shift in lyrical and emotional content. Phish was starting to play bigger venues and adding new fans. Yet at the same the song catalog was becoming more diverse and “adult” and some fans struggled with those changes. That sense of “this is my band” from the low 90s was changing to something else as more people discovered the power of Phish, the post Garcia era tour connection jumped on board, and Phish themselves continued to defy expectations and get better and better. Thank you. I look forward to your commentary and hope y’all are well. Alex
  • Ferchinator
    Awesome Phish podcast
    I have been listening to most of the episodes and they really really bring it every time! I recommend it!
  • acdc->psycho
    🤫
    For real, Trey, no one talks during divided sky pause! 😂 for real tho. Great podcast!
  • manbearpig1972
    Fun for all
    The blend of perspectives on Phish is what keeps me listening to this podcast on my daily commute. From the broad impression experience to the analytical and sometimes critical, it all works. They don’t talk over each other and find a unique and fresh way to interweave their own particular experiences with the band. And they play some Phish music at apt times. I particularly enjoy those with musical expertise (Sorry I don’t know all the names but Matt comes to mind) telling us about what’s happening rhythmically, arrangement-wise, etc. Thanks for enriching my daily life.
  • bluke11
    Love the Pod
    Really clever approach to covering the band. Guys clearly know their stuff and come up with really interesting takes and topics. Great report amongst the host that helps everything feel unrehearsed and natural. Keep up the good work.
  • skooledby
    Favorite Phish podcast
    If I could only tune into one Phish podcast this would be it. Love the quick hits during tour and the topical deep dives
  • DanKane65
    Really phantastic stuff here folks!!!
    Great way to follow tour and stay up to date.
  • Ava_Baby
    Funny and insightful Phish discussion
    RJ, Matt and Johnathan do an excellent job reviewing recent shows and touching on all the dynamic aspects of the best band and it's community, 36 years in.
  • jacob_tunney
    Keep on rocking!
    Always happy to see a new episode released. Enjoy the quick hits + older show recaps.
  • and.pfeif
    A must for live music fans of all types
    I love the different angles on artists/live shows and content covered in this podcast.. It’s introduced me to countless behind-the-scenes stories, band dynamics and interviews from some of my favorite jam bands/artists.. you gotta check it out!!!
  • jccizzle79
    Love It
    If you have to listen to a Phish podcast (and let’s face it, if you are reading this, you clearly do) this is the one to download and listen in your earballs.
  • jlivemus
    Phantastic
    Great way to stay up to date on tour and great insights
  • Gr8ful2
    December 2015
    I’m generally a huge fan of most any podcast reviewing Phish as I get a lot of information that I generally wouldn’t know or have the knowledge to research shows etc...These guys are as knowledgeable as any I have heard and highly recommend it. However....occasionally I hear the arrogance of some people that give me concern and persuade me to hit the off button. On the December 95 review there was a guest who made many statements like these. For example the statement was made that ‘anybody who hasn’t listened to every December Tweezer simply isn’t a Phish fan.’ Really???? Arrogance unbridled. Get a life. I grew up w the Dead and Phish and all are different. A little less arrogance and a little more respect.
  • freethreepin
    1 day / time
    Thanks for sharing the Thanks for Sharing episode. HIts home as a reconvering phan.
  • DrSFJones
    Great stuff
    Interesting conversation by serious Phish nerds for serious Phish nerds.
  • Staggerlee65
    Thank You
    For taking time to do this gig....great to hear everyone’s opinions -Keep up the good work!
  • RaytownRoovian
    Keep ‘Em Coming!
    Love the podcast! Looking forward to your analysis of the Fall Tour.
  • Chicago Mack
    9/14/2000 Reba?
    Great job going over September 2000....... ¿Didn’t mention the Reba from 9/14/2000?! By far my favorite Reba ever! And my top Suzie is from that show as well! Love the podcast. Mack
  • UncleJoon
    The best Phish cast out there
    Always relevant. Creative. Great way to "discuss" shows to catch up on what you missed or hear other's thoughts on a show you just attended. A great way to learn Phishtory as well. Sometimes the hosts can be a bit dull, but I'd rather have real, educated phans than energetic hosts that barely know what they are talking about. They do a great job of interviewing others for a variety of perspectives as well.
  • Doondog
    Saved my life
    Listen to this podcast and save your life.
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