Self-Helpless Podcast
Hosted by Delanie Fischer
A fluff-free look at personal growth, where an inquisitive host interviews experts on the science behind self-care, sustainability, and the mind.
This is a weekly interview show that bridges the gap between abstract self-help and concrete science. Host Delanie Fischer brings on authors, scientists, and founders to deconstruct topics like romantic obsession, food systems, and generosity, always grounding the conversation in research and practical application. It's a show that takes personal growth seriously but delivers it with a casual, conversational, and often humorous tone inherited from the host's comedy background.
“Unlike many self-help shows, Self-Helpless actively avoids platitudes, instead using expert interviews to explore the scientific and systemic roots of personal challenges. The host's background as a comedian and entrepreneur allows her to pivot from neuroscience to the practicalities of running a mission-driven business, a rare combination in the genre.”
Who hosts this show
Delanie Fischer is a comedian, writer, and creative activist who hosts the Self-Helpless podcast. With a background in stand-up comedy and a degree in Religious Studies, she blends humor with a passion for holistic health and advocacy. The podcast aims to bridge the gap between one-dimensional self-help and everyday activism by exploring topics like neuroscience, conscious consumption, and integrative health with leading specialists.
Credentials & credits
- Host, Self-Helpless Podcast
- Co-Author, "MockTales"
- Graduate, The Second City Conservatory Program
- Graduate, The Upright Citizens Brigade Improv Program
- B.A. in Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
- Creative Consultant
Other ventures
- Creative consulting business
- "Dicks by Delanie" (former art business)
- "Career Crush" (podcast)
- Web series "Two Inches Apart"
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United States
- Region
- usa
When new episodes drop
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05Meat, Dairy & Eggs: 20 Science-Backed Health Insights with Dr. Michael GregerJan 16, 2026 · 25 min
- 067 Neurohacks for Managing Fear with Biopsychologist Dr. Mary PoffenrothJan 13, 2026 · 57 min
- 07
- 08Is AI Creating a World Without Choice? How to Fight Back with Jacob WardDec 17, 2025 · 55 min
Notable episodes
- 01Limerence: Romantic Obsession, Infatuation & the Neuroscience of Person Addiction w/ Dr. Tom Bellamy
A deep dive into the neuroscience of romantic obsession, differentiating it from healthy love and explaining the concept of 'person addiction'.
- 02Upcycling, Sustainability, and Getting Resourceful With What You Have with Yousuf Ahmed
A practical and transparent look at the realities of building a sustainable CPG brand, covering everything from logistics and funding to ethical dilemmas.
- 03The Science of Generosity: How it Rewires Your Brain & Impacts Health + Behavior w/ Cherian Koshy
Explores the surprising, research-backed health benefits of giving, and the evolutionary reasons why generosity is a hardwired human trait.
- 04Meat, Dairy & Eggs: 20 Science-Backed Health Insights with Dr. Michael Greger
Features a well-known expert in the nutrition space discussing the health impacts of common animal products, a core theme for the show's conscious consumption focus.
What you'll be asked on this show
Fischer's style is inquisitive and practical. She often opens by asking guests to define a core concept for the audience (e.g., 'What is food upcycling?'). She probes with multi-part questions that cover both the 'what' and the 'how,' frequently digging into the financial and logistical realities of a guest's work. She connects expert insights to common experiences and isn't afraid to ask direct questions about profitability, competitive risks, and exit strategies. She often paraphrases a guest's point to ensure clarity before moving on to the next line of inquiry.
This is a single-host, long-form interview show. Delanie Fischer typically opens with brief housekeeping notes before diving into the conversation. She often uses personal anecdotes to connect with guests and frames complex topics through a lens of practical, everyday experience, making dense subjects like neuroscience or supply chain logistics feel accessible.
Questions Delanie Fischer keeps coming back to
14 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when Delanie Fischer reaches for it.
origin
3- Q.01
“What is [the core concept], and when did you decide to pursue it yourself?”
This is often her opening question, used to define the episode's central theme and establish the guest's origin story.
- Q.02
“What's the difference between [concept A] and [a common misconception]?”
She asks this to clarify terms and preemptively address audience confusion.
- Q.03
“From an evolutionary or survival standpoint, why are we wired for [this behavior]?”
This question seeks to find the deeper, biological roots of a psychological topic.
personal
2- Q.01
“Are there measurable health benefits to [this practice or behavior]?”
She uses this to ground abstract concepts in tangible, physical outcomes for the listener.
- Q.02
“How did your former colleagues react to you leaving your old career?”
This question explores the social and personal side of making a major life pivot.
process
4- Q.01
“How do studies actually measure something like [happiness or generosity]?”
This question reveals her skepticism of vague claims and pushes for methodological details.
- Q.02
“What were the biggest logistical or practical challenges you faced early on?”
Aimed at entrepreneur guests, this question moves past the glossy story to the gritty details.
- Q.03
“Did you overcomplicate your process or product in the beginning?”
This question invites guests to reflect on common entrepreneurial mistakes and early lessons.
- Q.04
“What have been your biggest sales or marketing breakthroughs?”
She asks this to extract actionable strategies and success stories for listeners.
controversy
1- Q.01
“Is your process proprietary, or could a bigger company just start doing it themselves?”
This question directly addresses the competitive landscape and a company's 'moat'.
money
2- Q.01
“Is this profitable, and is it your full-time job?”
Fischer often asks this to ground the conversation in the financial reality of a guest's venture.
- Q.02
“Have you considered going on a show like Shark Tank for investment?”
She uses this as a shorthand to probe a founder's fundraising and media strategy.
future
1- Q.01
“What is your long-term goal or exit strategy for the company?”
This question pushes guests to articulate their ultimate vision, whether it's acquisition or long-term ownership.
mindset
1- Q.01
“Have you faced an ethical dilemma where you had to choose your mission over a shortcut?”
She asks this to understand how a guest's values hold up under business pressure.
Signature segments
- · Intro jingle: 'Self Help Less'
- · Host's opening: 'Okay, it's podcast time.'
- · Patreon and email list housekeeping notes
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests are typically authors, researchers, scientists, and founders who are subject matter experts on a specific, research-backed topic related to health, psychology, sustainability, or conscious living. Recent guests include neuroscientists, physicians, and founders of ethical CPG brands.
- Dr. Tom Bellamyon Limerence: Romantic Obsession, Infatuation & the Neuroscience of Person Addiction w/ Dr. Tom Bellamy
- Yousuf Ahmedon Upcycling, Sustainability, and Getting Resourceful With What You Have with Yousuf Ahmed
- Cherian Koshyon The Science of Generosity: How it Rewires Your Brain & Impacts Health + Behavior w/ Cherian Koshy
- Kate Downeyon The Fascinating Science of Period Pain: Tackling Menstrual ‘Death’ Cramps with Kate Downey
- Dr. Michael Gregeron Meat, Dairy & Eggs: 20 Science-Backed Health Insights with Dr. Michael Greger
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The show primarily promotes its own ad-free Patreon subscription and email list, suggesting a direct listener-supported model. The host also mentions sponsors like OneSkin in some episodes.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch Delanie Fischer
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People also ask
- What is Delanie Fischer's background?
- Delanie Fischer is a comedian, writer, and creative consultant with a degree in Religious Studies and training from The Second City and Upright Citizens Brigade.
- Is Self-Helpless still releasing new episodes?
- Yes, new episodes are released weekly on podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The YouTube channel serves as an archive for past episodes.
- What is the format of the show?
- It is a weekly, long-form interview podcast where host Delanie Fischer speaks with a single expert guest on a topic related to science, health, or personal growth.
- Didn't this podcast used to have other hosts?
- Yes, in its earlier years, Self-Helpless was co-hosted by comedians Kelsey Cook and Taylor Tomlinson alongside Delanie Fischer. It has since transitioned to a single-host format.
- How can I listen to ad-free episodes?
- Ad-free episodes are available through the show's Patreon subscription.
- How can I pitch a guest for the podcast?
- The official podcast website has a submissions form for guest consideration.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]Official Podcast Websiteselfhelplesspodcast.com
- [02]Delanie Fischer's Official Websitedelaniefischer.com
- [03]Meet Delanie Fischer - Bold Journey Magazineboldjourney.com
- [04]Delanie Fischer Bio - Laugh Factorylaughfactory.com
- [05]Self-Helpless on Apple Podcastspodcasts.apple.com
- [06]Delanie Fischer - Voyage LAvoyagela.com
- [07]Delanie Fischer - SHOUTOUT LAshoutoutla.com
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