Is It Time to Start Accepting That Closure Isn’t A Real Thing?

This week, J & J are fresh off a dinner party together, but Jared’s own awkward encounter at a bar afterwards has him regretting that nightcap martini. After some daydreaming about winter getaways, we dig into the e-mails, starting with a listener who put their friend onto the pod, watched them succeed at finding love, but keeps striking out on their own. They tackle a couple of listener’s dating app woes, like should you stop replying if they make an edit to their profile you really dislike? Today’s "Awkward Encounter" pushes the boundaries between “awkward” and “heartbreaking,” with a write-in from a woman who thought she was getting a ring but got a break-up instead. Keeping the New Year unhinged, “Red Flag or Deal Breaker” covers disclosing food allergies, being pushy about “going to my place”, and talking about your parents sex lives on a first date… which we think might require a little more professional help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 Jan 1h 13min

Dating Coach, Hinge Relationship Science expert, and friend of the pod Logan Ury (@loganury) is here to help J & J answer the question haunting single women everywhere: Where are all the guys?!? Her new Netflix show “The Later Daters,” where she coaches singles over 55 on how to get back in the dating scene, is now streaming – and proving that some dating struggles never change, even with age. They really dig into Logan’s 2025 passion projects: the gender imbalance in dating, the need for male support networks, and how we can improve the male end of the dating pool. We hear from one listener who wants to know if being single for years makes them undateable, but Logan’s here to assure us all that it’s never too late to find love. All of this tees up Monday’s special Benefits episode: Logan coaching Jared, on air, no holding back. You won’t want to miss it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Jan 1h 4min

Happy New Year, U Up? listeners! J&J are ringing in the New Year doing what they do best: going a little bit off the rails. Jared plans to celebrate the New Year by toasting his martini to the moon (and hopes you will toast him back, wherever she is). They reflect about their 2024, before diving into some of Jared’s 2025 dating resolutions which include new-and-improved dating lines, personal improvement, and why you should be an even worse first date. Then, we hear from one listener who wants to know if she should be vision boarding her relationship, and an older listener grappling with a middle-aged breakup. Finally, we end with a quick “Red Flag or Deal Breaker,” where every write-in has us asking, “what’s going on with men??” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Jan 1h 5min

The holidays are coming to a close, the New Year is looming – is it time to get your shit together? We’re ending 2024 by welcoming author, entrepreneur, and returning guest Ramit Sethi (@ramit) to the studio for a (seriously) fun conversation about money and relationships. His new book, "Money for Couples", is about how to create your most "Rich Life." It’s a touchy subject, but Ramit holds our hand through it all: how to broach the money convo early on, reframing financial conversations through a more romantic lens, what you might not be considering when thinking about engagement rings, and so much more. Plus, we hear from a male listener struggling with gender-based expectations when it comes to paying on dates – why is it so awkward to go Dutch? We wrap things up with a rapid fire game, “Fund It or Forget It.” See you in 2025! Buy Ramit Sethi's book here. Check out Ramit Sethi's 2022 U Up episode on Apple or Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27 Dec 202453min

‘Twas the U Up? before Christmas so J&J dressed up for fun. Regardless of your holiday plans, you won’t want to miss this one! With unhinged holiday spirit taking over the entire studio, they play a round of “Naughty or Nice?”, offer up Jared’s first date of 2025, and end with a holiday competition of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas rewrites by Jared and our producer, Candice. Plus, the Awkward Encounter involves a feline funk and J&J give a reality check when a cheating woman writes in with hopes for her next relationship before she’s ended her current one. Head to our Instagram @u.up.podcast to vote on our pod poetry and get details on how to win a date with Jared. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 Dec 20241h 7min

What does 2025 hold for your love life? Kelley Knight (@kelley__knight), psychic and owner of Modern Mystic Shop, returns to the studio to help us see what’s in store for each of our futures! First, she surprises J&J with gifts and they catch up since she gave Jared a reading in an episode last December. Then, Jared and Jordana each ask a question about different aspects of their lives for a quick reading. The episode ends with a round of Tarotscopes as Kelley makes predictions for each zodiac sign, with our hosts and producers paying extra attention to our own signs.For more from our guest, follow @modernmystic_shop or visit modernmystic.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Dec 20241h 1min

After a couple weeks away from the studio and just days after Jared’s special taping, Jordana starts this episode by giving Jared his flowers and catches him up on her girls’ trip as the hosts settle back in. The first email asks for advice for everyone traveling to stay with family over the holiday season. How do you balance dating and family time when you’re away from your city, but don’t want to take a break? The Awkward Encounter, sponsored by A24’s Babygirl, comes from a woman unsure when to bring up her kinks to find the right partner. Next, a listener with a calculated approach to her dating life is starting to second-guess herself after her friends’ judgment about her current situation. The episode ends with a round of “Red Flag or Deal Breaker?” about family baggage, an angry cat, and a vegan’s roach reservations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18 Dec 20241h 25min

Feeling lucky? On par with Friday the 13th, Jared and Jordana ease into the episode with their thoughts on superstitions, energy, and beliefs. Plus, Jared shares where his head is at ahead of a recording break for the Thanksgiving holiday, Jordana’s trip, and his special taping. Then, they play a game called “Is That My Wife?” inspired by Jared’s DMs. The episode ends with an email from a 26M listener wondering if he should be feeling more for the woman he’s been seeing for a couple of months or if dating in the digital age has skewed his perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 Dec 202437min