U Up?

The pod is buzzing this week, and we’re starting with Jordana’s NBA experience seeing the Knicks play (and lose) Game 7 against the Pacers reminding her of a relationship falling apart and Jared’s fired-up morning after a workout. After catching up, they jump into an email from a listener reeling over getting stood up. She had an online relationship with a man in another state for 8 years, but when the stars aligned and she found herself in his area, he blocked her. Is she wrong for wishing he would’ve communicated he didn’t want to meet anymore, or does he not owe her anything because they’d never physically met? Next, we get another “Friends To Lovers” submission from a Canadian man about a woman he met in a workout class. Afterward, a military man asks how to navigate dating when his career’s constant moves have been the subject of several breakups. The episode ends with a “Red Flag or Deal Breaker” about white lies, jorts on a plane, and a special update from a fan-favorite milk debate from our 2020 episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

29 Touko 20241h 11min

This week’s Sunday Special delves into boundaries, appropriateness, and perception, but first, J&J are catching up with Emma Willmann (@emmawillmann). The conversation from Emma’s last time on the pod gets a quick update with where it continued with a sex therapist on Emma’s podcast, Ask Men Anything. Then, Jared needs the insight of women he knows for his latest TikTok finds. Next, a male listener thinks his personality is to blame for his lack of dating life. He’s friendly and chatty, but the consensus of his friend group is that these characteristics could be “gay-coded,” so is the solution to become closed off? The episode ends with a “Petty or Prudent?” about a breakup reaction after our listener comes out to her boyfriend as queer, but it’s not the reaction to her sexuality that she’s concerned about. Jared, Jordana and Emma add some extra layers of perspective she may be looking past. Listen to our last episode with Emma, "Was This A Red Flag Or Is My Internalized Homophobia Showing?" from February 21. Listen to Emma's follow-up conversation on Ask Men Anything, "Asking Dr. Justin Lehmiller Anything" from February 27. https://youtu.be/AMPqjOcuAg8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Touko 202453min

This week, J&J are finding the balance in a few debates, from ideal thermostat temps to awkward callouts. The first email asks if there’s a limit to how much an ex is brought up during a date. Jared and Jordana don’t initially agree and weigh both sides of the conversation. Next, in a segment sponsored by Netflix, they get a “Friends-To-Lovers” story submission that's out to motivate other listeners to make a move. The second advice email is looking for the line between going for what you want and seeing what the person you’re dating is willing to do. There could be truth to “If he wanted to, he would,” but doesn’t that go both ways? The episode ends with a “Red Flag or Deal Breaker” about being overly communicative, being put in an awkward situation pre-date, and disagreeing about the best sex you’ve ever had. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Touko 20241h 10min

J&J are jumping right into this week’s Sunday Special, kicking off with an “Icky or Picky?” about a delayed Hinge response. Our listener’s match explained that he took so long to get back to her because he only likes to focus on one match at a time, but she can’t decide if it’s unfair of her to be put off or if that was indeed too much too soon. Then, they get an email from a listener struggling to forgive herself for giving her ex a second chance despite problematic circumstances. J&J discuss who she's really mad at and what needs to change so she can move on in peace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Touko 202426min

We’re talking guilty pleasure shows, that time Jared almost experienced death by pizza bite, and wedding planning ahead of jumping into the episode. Our first email comes from a listener dreading an upcoming wedding knowing they’ll be single, without a plus one, and only know two other guests on an acquaintance level. Then, we receive a “Friends-To-Lovers” story submission in a segment sponsored by Netflix, and this one takes a turn. The second advice email comes from a gay listener in his late 30s looking for long-term love and frequently finding short-term romance. He’s been quick to cut things off once he realized he and his dates weren’t looking for the same thing, but is he missing out on great experiences by doing so? The episode ends with a “Red Flag or Deal Breaker” about sleep farts, childhood homes, and splitting the check. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15 Touko 20241h 4min

This episode is all about communication and honesty, but it’s not addressed in the usual way. First, Jordana fondly remembers her go-to first date question that she’s no longer allowed to ask. It may have ruffled feathers and ruined a friend’s date, but it gave her all she needed to know to engage with someone early on. Then, J&J play a round of “Petty or Prudent?” about a listener’s reaction to her husband’s ex. Our listener was fine with a filmmaker ex keeping in touch with her husband until his ex made a film about “the ups and downs of ‘young love’” based on their former relationship. She confronted her about the film and, when the ex claimed it was more about love in general, she asked for tickets. Her friends are egging her on to attend, but would that be petty? Next, we hear from a 35-year-old woman struggling with the men she’s meeting on the apps. She finds them all so…boring. She asks J&J a series of questions to adjust her approach (i.e. Should she lessen her expectations? Are these incompatibilities a deal breaker?), but they feel like she’s sidestepping an obvious factor in her problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12 Touko 202448min

Something’s comiiinnnnggggg – before we dive into the first email, Jared and Jordana have an announcement (spoiler: it has to do with Fra)! Then, the first email comes from a 32-year-old listener in LA with a common issue. She’s going on dates and they’re fine, but she doesn’t really care to push further. Where’s the lapse in connection, and is it safe to assume it must be coming from her end? J&J start at the crux of her dating issues and, like many of us, it has to do with an old situationship. The Awkward Encounter drove one listener to commit to cutting off her ex for good. Next, we get into our first “Friends to Lovers” submission in a new segment sponsored by Netflix. In anticipation of Bridgerton season 3, listeners are filling us in on how their own “friends to lovers” scenarios played out. The episode ends with a “Red Flag or Deal Breaker?” about voice messages, forgetting a first date, and date-crashing friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 Touko 20241h 7min

This Sunday Special, we’re taking notes from a professional! J&J are joined by Matthew Hussey (@thematthewhussey), a life coach and best-selling author with nearly 20 years of work elevating lives and relationships. We start with what Matthew came to terms with in the modern dating climate as his career evolved, then J&J get him to delve into how his own love life developed over time and the long-distance relationship that led him to say "I do" last year. His wife Audrey enters the chat to give her POV about their early stages and the surprising text she sent that drove him to make a decision. Plus, he answers listener questions sent in from Instagram, talks about raising your standards, and the importance of communication. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Touko 20241h 13min