Review of Hey Josh

Josh Shipp is a hugely successful motivational speaker who focuses primarily on issues that effect teenagers, like drugs, alcohol, sex and depression, and brands himself as a young, alternative person that gives advice “with attitude.” He has written several self-help books, and is one of youngest speakers to be invited to join the National Speakers Association. Since 2005, he has been the spokesperson for National Foster Care Month. He has traveled all over the country to give his speeches in colleges, high schools, and middle schools.

Josh created and produced Hey Josh TV, which was launched in November of 2006, to give troubled young people a venue to voice their problems and get advice.

Hey Josh TV is kind of like a Dear Abby for the digital generation. Viewers can anonymously email their problems to Josh, and if their problem is selected, he will give them advice on his podcast. He addresses two problems within one podcast every week. Viewers can also send a video or call in their problems. Josh addresses questions like how to gain back someone’s trust, how kick an addiction to anorexia, or how to emotionally deal with having an abortion.

Episodes are all about three minutes long, and they keep viewers’ attention with quick cuts and a high production value. Josh is a comedian in addition to being a motivational speaker, so the segments are very funny, though sometimes to the detriment of the quality of advice.  His calendar, as well as the various speeches and workshops he provides, can be also be viewed on the site. 

My favorite podcast on Hey Josh TV is probably episode 10, which addresses addiction to Myspace as well as New Year’s resolutions.
Ever witnessed a Myspace friend (or an ex-boyfriend) go way overboard with Myspace and harass you or someone you know? Although Josh doesn’t give any real advice on how to end this addiction, he does do an amusing Jeff Foxworthy-like routine: “you might be addicted to Myspace if…” As for addressing a viewer’s concern over her failure to fulfill her New Year’s resolutions, Josh says the best thing anyone has ever said about resolutions: “New Year’s resolutions blow.”