Childhood & Nostalgia
238 episodes · 2018–2021 · 53 debates · 39 pieces of advice · 368 stories · 175 quotes
The Daily Talk Show — Australia’s daily podcast, hosted by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen — discussed childhood & nostalgia across 238 of its 1,022 daily episodes between 2018 and 2021. This page collects what was actually said: 175 verbatim quotes, 39 pieces of advice, 368 stories told on air, 53 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.
Relays Scott Galloway's tweet approvingly as a framing device, noting it got pushback but presenting the idea as worth discussing.
Pushes back, saying it's 'robotic' to choose friends by success or intelligence and that loyalty to old friends who are struggling still matters.
Floats the idea of 'nostalgia therapy' — spending money on childhood items instead of traditional therapy — as potentially valuable, though acknowledges it could seem sad or indulgent ('a bit Michael Jackson').
Responds playfully but doesn't strongly endorse or reject the concept, instead describing what his own nostalgic ideal would be (building a backyard skate park).
what the key 'lesson' of reaching 1,000 episodes is
Ep 10001:09:00The key lesson is to ignore negative self-talk about not doing enough and to focus on process over achieving a 'perfect' product.
The key lesson is about staying present day-to-day, since the mind has limited capacity to hold onto past wins and tends to dwell on negativity instead.
Wants to experience a genuine snow Christmas abroad (e.g., Zürich or a Swiss ski town) after a lifetime of beach Christmases.
Is skeptical of chasing snow specifically, noting trips can end up rainy instead, and says the novelty of beach Christmases has also worn off for him.
Enthusiastic about leaning into a '90s or retro-era theme for merch, citing patterned polos and Princess Diana's style as current inspiration.
Skeptical that '90s styles like polos with patches are broadly appealing, arguing 'not everyone wears 90s' and it's a niche look.
Insists he can call his childhood chest a 'breast' and that it's an accurate term.
Questions whether 'breast' can even be used to describe a male chest.
Expresses concern that 'magic' cleaning products or sprays might carry hidden cancer risks, referencing California warning signs and general wariness of modern chemical products.
Argues Australia has strong regulations on toxic products and that people shouldn't live in constant fear; believes there are clearer paths to cancer (like smoking) versus murkier everyday risks.
Gives the 'controversial' take that she never got into Friends and it's not her go-to show.
Argues Friends is inoffensive comfort/background viewing, comparable to watermelon — unremarkable but not dislikeable.
Party buses are an oxymoron — they're often unsafe retired buses with motion sickness risks and no seatbelts.
Virtual games are statistically much safer than everyday activities like driving, so they're a reasonable alternative to party buses.
Argues masks remove a sense of personal identity and comfort from seeing someone's full face, making mask-wearing feel disorienting and slightly alienating.
Agrees broadly but focuses more on practical/claustrophobic discomfort of wearing masks himself.
Believes high-waisted jeans are a good, sensible fashion choice and prefers wearing things above the belly button.
Treats the high-waisted vs low-rise jeans debate as just a passing fashion trend ('a point in time') without strongly endorsing either.
The moment of pain itself is not the right time to teach a lesson; parents should let the child feel it and be there for them, revisiting the lesson calmly later.
The moment a child is feeling the full force of an emotion seems like the ideal teaching opportunity, since they are fully present in the feeling.
Advice from the show
all 39pieces →What was actually said, attributed and linked to the moment.
How do you negotiate a better price in a retail store?
Josh recalls his kid-era tactic of asking staff 'what's the best price you've got?' and countering with a lower number to get them to meet in the middle.
Is it fair to drop old friends who haven't 'upgraded' alongside you?
Josh argues it's harsh to cut off old friends just because they're struggling or haven't kept pace in success, even if a tweet suggests upgrading your peer group; loyalty to people you grew up with still matters.
What would you tell your past self about handling self-doubt over a long-running creative project?
Ignore negative self-talk and the urge to think you should be doing more; success came from redefining what 'success' looked like rather than chasing an imagined perfect version of the show.
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).
What informal activities can help a toddler's early learning at home?
Josh describes using everyday moments like reading number plates, counting fingers, and saying birthdays as fun, low-pressure ways to support a toddler's learning without rigid structure.
Is it safer to do a virtual party game than something like a party bus?
Statistically you're more likely to be harmed driving to work than playing a virtual game, so opting for a Zoom-based game avoids risks like motion sickness and unsafe retired buses used for party buses.
How can adults without kids reintroduce playfulness into their lives?
Tommy suggests intentionally engaging in childlike activities even without children present, such as flying a kite, drawing with chalk, jumping in puddles, climbing trees, or getting a glove and ball to throw at the park, framing it as advice to himself that he likely wouldn't do without his son prompting it.
How can I pull myself out of a negative mental spiral during lockdown?
Try a combination of light activities: play a competitive game like Uno with your partner, treat yourself to something small like an ice cream, and finish with a Metta (loving-kindness) meditation where you direct feelings of love toward yourself via a loved one.
What should I do if a piece of software/subscription feels too expensive?
Contact the provider directly and explain you're struggling with the cost — Tommy got his Adobe subscription reduced from $79 to $27 a month simply by asking.
How should you handle worrying that someone dislikes you?
Recognise that your own narrative about someone hating you is often exaggerated; if you've helped them or been kind, they'll come around, and ultimately not everyone has to like you — that's okay.
How should people prepare for a coronavirus outbreak at home?
Consider storing supplies such as drinking water, food, and medication in case pharmacy or supply access becomes difficult, even if it's unclear which specific drugs would help with the virus itself.
How can someone with a quick temper become more even-tempered like a laid-back friend?
Cam explains it's not a conscious technique but a natural tendency to wait, lay back, and let things build rather than reacting immediately to emotions; when he does get annoyed, it takes a lot to get there and the result is going fully 'off' a person rather than frequent small outbursts.
How can you get honest feedback from someone without making them defensive?
Frame feedback as 'the story I've created is...' rather than stating it as fact, which gives the other person room to correct you if your perception is wrong.
How do you get someone to reveal personal news without knowing what's going on in their life?
Open with 'Congratulations, man, heard the news' and people will typically reveal whatever is actually happening in their life.
How do you achieve consistency in life or creative work without being rigid?
Build a framework or habit structure (daily meditation, daily show) that provides safety and simplicity, but hold your approach loosely rather than attaching rigidly to one 'answer,' since over-identifying with any single framework can itself become a new 'cult.'
How do you keep jokes or bits working in a long-running show?
Don't over-plan or force a punchline in the moment; instead, be willing to try something and let it develop as a slower-burn idea across multiple episodes rather than needing it to land immediately.
How do you get a disposable/film camera through airport security?
Josh advises declaring a film camera to TSA officers rather than letting it go through the X-ray scanner, since the X-ray can damage film.
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 should you think about money and wealth advice from people around you?
Take stock of who is talking to you about money, success and failure, and consider their actual experience with it — people who say 'money doesn't buy happiness' are often not the ones with significant wealth.
How should parents handle a child who is misbehaving or struggling at school?
Show love consistently, avoid forcing conformity, model the behaviour you want your children to adopt, and ensure both parents present a united, agreed approach to discipline rather than one parent handing it out alone.
What is the purpose of self-discipline according to Joanne Jackett?
Treat discipline as a 'best friend' rather than a punishment system (not military-style discipline but self-discipline), since it helps you move out of suffering and live well.
How should hair colour be chosen based on skin tone?
People with a pink skin pigment, especially men, generally suit cooler colour tones better than warm tones, so a colorist should factor in natural skin pigment when choosing a shade.
Stories told on air
George plays an archived clip from episode 111 in which Josh jokingly proposed that Tommy get a Daily Talk Show tattoo if they reached 1,000 episodes; Tommy had agreed to get something 'in his own way.' The hosts debate what the tattoo should be now that the milestone is near.
told by Tommy Jackett, Josh Janssen, and George Martin
Tommy describes being fully immersed in play with his son Bodhi the previous night, using it as an example of children's total presence compared to adults' cluttered minds.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy recalls writing a children's book as a kid about a female ship captain, joking that he was unknowingly progressive for the era by centering a woman in a typically male role.
told by Tommy
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
Tommy describes buying a $1 scratchie at a petrol station after noticing a sign advertising 'petrol's a million bucks,' joking that he paid 'a million dollars and $1' for it, and scratching it without a coin.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy recounts how his son Bodhi tore a bead-like piece off his teddy bear (nicknamed Frank) and got it lodged in his nostril; after a tense moment of trying to get him to blow it out, Tommy pinched his nose and it popped free.
told by Tommy Jackett
Josh recalls that his wife Amy worked at an Outback Steakhouse as a 15-year-old alongside her sister, describing her as having been a 'little Christian girl' at the time.
told by Josh
Josh recounts winning a stuffed toy from a pub skill tester machine on the third $5 try, which Bodhi named Frank but then said he didn't really like, preferring an unreachable Spider-Man toy.
told by Josh Janssen
Tommy describes visiting a busy frozen yoghurt shop in Hawthorn while feeling down, briefly touching his mouth after tasting the yoghurt, and being told by a staff member to go re-sanitise his hands, which he frames as both good hygiene practice and a smug power move by the staff member.
told by Tommy Jackett
Josh describes searching the Internet Archive for his old websites, leading Tommy to read aloud an embarrassing 2008 blog post by Josh about chocolate addiction and gym motivation, plus a 2009 post about why people need their own blog instead of relying on Facebook.
told by Josh Janssen and Tommy Jackett
Both hosts reminisce about early personal video technology: Tommy's family Handycam that used full VHS tapes, and his first small blue Kodak-style digital camera with a reverse-video trick mode; Josh recalls a similar Kodak camera and a Game Boy camera cartridge.
told by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen
Tommy describes an old Mac keyboard shortcut that opened a window for watching film trailers available for purchase on iTunes, and has George try to track down what the shortcut was, without success.
told by Tommy Jackett
Josh recalls getting caller ID as a kid and using it to catch that his friend Rob Curran was calling from another boy Lachlan's house; when Rob called back, Josh's mum told him to either be a real friend or stop calling, ending the friendship.
told by Josh Janssen
Tommy recalls his mum used to fold towels into swan shapes and that he would rearrange his bedroom every few months as a kid to make it feel like a new place, comparing it to living in a hotel.
told by Tommy Jackett
Josh recalls house-sitting as a young teen in an expensive Melbourne suburb, where he and friends found weed and miniature condoms in a bedside drawer, assumed jokes about the owner, stole the weed, and later had to replace it.
told by Josh Janssen
As a 15-year-old doing a VCA film program, Tommy was told by his dad that you needed a licence to get dry ice, which turned out to be a convenient lie to avoid the hassle of picking it up, and Tommy used a subpar smoke machine instead.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy recalls switching from a private to public school and getting mocked for calling the canteen 'tuck shop' instead of the local term, illustrating regional slang differences around school lunches.
told by Tommy Jackett
Jess describes a sister throwing a lamp during a fight, likening sibling arguments to 'Kim Kardashian fights' over stolen clothes.
told by Jess Lucas
In their words
“It's a very low barrier to get into the Gronk Squad.”
“It's like, it's not our storey to tell.”
“It makes the phone look stupid. Like it makes you feel like it's a smartphone, but it's actually a dumb phone.”
“No, I would not share a bong with him.”
“It's a bit Michael Jackson, isn't it?”
“I filled it right up to the top as well with a fresh bag. I fucked up.”
“We've committed to do the Daily Talk Show for 10 years.”
“I am the meaning of stupid.”
“It's a very low barrier to get into the Gronk Squad. That's crazy!”
“If you want to be Josh's friend, be his friend, otherwise stop calling.”
“Think about a hash brown if that was in the shape of a drumstick.”
“Sister fights are outrageous. Like, they're scary.”
“Back then, the word was used to describe not socially awkward tech-savvy individuals, but rather circus sideshow performers who bit the head off small living creatures.”
“My auntie that shows me dead bodies and buys me budgies.”
“Well, you'd think that that's like based on the Supremo, you would think that's the case because that fucking thing's got everything.”
“The disrespect for kangaroos in this country is appalling.”
“So, you know, at the age of 12, I owned my own house.”
“I wouldn't recommend it, but I mean, it was— I felt like I was in fucking that TV show Gladiator running the gauntlet.”