Listeners are in for a double rant to kick off this week, but if you thought it’d be from Jared, guess again. After Jordana gains a new commercial enemy, Jared makes a request to single listeners for this 4th of July: take advantage of the fun holidays. The first email comes from a confused listener after a man drove 3 hours to surprise her and quickly lost interest after. The Awkward Encounter comes from a single mom who met a man in France, but had to work through logistics for a hookup while ...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 567
We’re balancing out the seriousness with a lot of laughter as comedian Rachel Feinstein (@rachelfeinstein_) joins J&J on the pod for this Sunday Special. She’s married to a firefighter, but didn’t mean to be, so she recounts bad dates, awkward dumpings, and the lessons learned from dating through her 30s that got her to find the right guy. Then, J&J read a “Petty or Prudent?” about wanting custody of a neighborhood after a breakup. The trio discuss post-breakup boundaries, both physical and emot...
Jun 30, 2024•47 min•Ep. 566
Let’s get vulnerable! This week’s episode is full of listeners reaching out regarding intimacy, awkward conversations, and heavier topics. Before they get into it, J&J delve into differing life stages after Jared hears from a friend in full dad mode. Then, the first email comes from a male listener whose relationship seems to be teetering into the friend zone after 2 years with his girlfriend. The Awkward Encounter includes a throwback to a memorable Awkward Sex Encounter from July 2019. If you ...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 565
It’s an extra special Sunday because we’re letting you in on some office goss. Divya, a Betches staff member, joins J&J for a debrief about her neighbor. She met a cute guy in her building during cuffing season and, at the time, Jordana warned her that dating a neighbor is a risky move, but also gave some helpful advice on how to proceed. Now that summer is in full swing, J&J are dying to know if the risk was worth the reward. She retells how the situation came to be, the dates they shared along...
Jun 23, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 564
J&J are questioning narratives today, starting with what happened to romcoms. After seeing Jared’s criticism of “Anyone But You,” Jordana wants to discuss thoughts on Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, and the state of romcoms in 2024. Then, we hear from a listener who can’t figure out how to get a guy out of Instagram DMs and into exchanging numbers. Their mutual friends advised her that he’s just “playing it cool,” but it’s starting to feel intentionally avoidant. Next, J&J receive a long email that...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 563
The perfect episode to tune in ahead of a Father’s Day brunch, J&J are back with another bite-size Sunday Special. They start with a “Petty or Prudent?” about sending an obituary after someone ghosts you, but they also saw a red flag before our listener got to the point of being ghosted. The episode ends with an email about another TikTok dating trend. Several fun #DatingTok videos are telling single people to try dating with an expiration date, but our listener didn’t have fun with the concept ...
Jun 16, 2024•24 min•Ep. 562
J&J are tackling nuance in the modern dating world. Before jumping in, Jordana recounts her Sonoma vacation and her driverless ride reminds Jared of dating apps’ impact on society. Plus Jared has feedback for a fan that shot her shot for an upcoming tour date, and his reasons for what was wrong with her approach tie into the first email. A listener has a crush on her fitness instructor, but is there a way to shoot her shot without making it awkward if he wants to pass? In true U Up? fashion, Joh...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 561
Jared and Jordana are getting pumped for their trip to Cannes, but they have to get a few things crossed on their list before they go. First up, Jordana needs answers on what the f*ck is up with Jared’s beard? Next, they read a wedding note from a subscriber before delving into a “Petty or Prudent?” about a SIL asking to share a wedding anniversary date. The episode ends with an advice email for a listener’s mom. He’s tried helping her navigate dating after her divorce, but she has excuse after ...
Jun 09, 2024•58 min•Ep. 560
J&J are taking on complicated relationships and realizations in this week’s episode, but first, they catch up on Jordana’s latest trip, get excited for their voyage en France, and Jared vents about the unknown era he’s navigating. The first email comes from a listener looking to collect $1,000 her ex owes her. He’s gone radio silent and it’s been a year, but J&J think she’s making a mistake with her ask. Then, our final “Friends to Lovers” submission takes a turn when a listener found her lover’...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 559
J&J are joined by Olivia O’Brien ahead of the release for her upcoming EP, “Love and Limerence,” but before they get started, Jordana and Olivia fill Jared in on what limerence means. Then, Olivia shares the struggles with being vulnerable in her songwriting and dating other public figures, and Jared can relate for why he’s cautious with the real experiences he puts into his work. Plus Olivia shocks J&J with the aftermath of her song with gnash, “i hate u, i love u,” blowing up on the charts in ...
Jun 02, 2024•39 min•Ep. 558
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 w...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 557
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 ...
May 26, 2024•54 min•Ep. 556
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 a...
May 22, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 555
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 w...
May 19, 2024•27 min•Ep. 554
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 ...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 553
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 h...
May 12, 2024•48 min•Ep. 552
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...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 551
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 ...
May 05, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 550
Is it petty or prudent to use your life experiences with others in your life’s work? What if you’re one of the biggest pop stars in the world? Before dissecting listener emails, J&J dish first thoughts on Taylor Swift’s new album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” The first email comes from a listener disputing her latest breakup after her ex questioned whether they truly had long-term compatibility. To her, you have to invest in a relationship first in order to build compatibility, so she leaves...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 549
This Sunday Special is a full debrief as Dulcé Sloan (@dulcesloan) joins J&J in the studio, catching them up on the dating stories she’s telling publicly for the first time, why she doesn’t call romantic interests by their names, and what she’s learned looking back. She takes us back to the time she was seeing “The Mechanic,” breaks down what they had and why it went on for so long, and confronts Jared about what he's looking for. You may know her as a comedian and host of The Daily Show, but Du...
Apr 28, 2024•38 min•Ep. 548
J&J are back in the studio so nature is healing. Jared talks “peacocking” and shares deets on the commitment he dove into after a weekend in Aspen. Then, Jordana dishes on decision-making with her husband and the tactics that they’re using to get through their home renovations. Next, we receive an email from a male listener who isn’t having much luck making it to date #2. Is there a right way to ask what went wrong? The next email is a listener mid-spiral after her fiancé confessed to a digital ...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 547
Mercury is in retrograde, J&J are out of studio, and existential thoughts are filling the distance between them today. Still reeling from the earthquake and solar eclipse, Jared and Jordana are getting deep into fears, oblivion, and mental health. Then, they dive into an email that doubles as a "Petty or Prudent?" submission. Our listener was dumped by her fiancé after footing most of the bills in preparation of their wedding, but she still has his grandmother's engagement ring. Should she give ...
Apr 21, 2024•41 min•Ep. 546
Lovers of long intros, buckle up! J&J are jumping in virtually today, so they do a little catch-up from Aspen and Long Island before diving into the episode. Then, our first email is questioning a man's alleged heartbreak. Our listener's friend broke up with a guy, but she's not sure how to take his reaction. Was he really just romantic, or was his reaction the subtle sign of a player? The Awkward Encounter is the accidental sext situation without the ick. The next email comes from a confused li...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 545
Weddings are on our minds today! After a few listeners sent invitations to their upcoming “I do’s,” J&J thought about the ideal wedding experience if they could attend one. Then, Jordana needs context on “the chair” text exchange from Jared’s Instagram Story coverage of his brother’s wedding. The “Icky or Picky?” is about having sex with someone who shares the same name as a family member. Then, we hear from a listener whose boyfriend’s mom disapproves so much that she emailed a list of her deal...
Apr 14, 2024•35 min•Ep. 544
Before we dive into another peak dating season, it’s time to ask yourself what you want and why you need it. In today’s episode, we hear from a few listeners going through frustration and anxiety, but first, you’ll never guess what Jordana has to do. Then, J&J hear from a 32-year-old listener who is convinced that at this point, she and other women are doomed in today’s dating society. Jared levels with her, but before we let her take everyone down too, our hosts discuss the importance of what y...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 543
Can a couple be successful in a professional and personal relationship? We’re finding out with this Sunday Special’s guests Nick and Elyse Oleksak, known for bringing their business Bantam Bagels to Shark Tank and selling for millions. The episode starts with learning how our guests came to know Jared, then J&J delve into their success and how the inner workings of their business played a role in their relationship. How do they turn off work mode and incorporate date nights? Has business been be...
Apr 07, 2024•43 min•Ep. 542
Spring is here, but while we’re waiting for the weather to catch up, we’re discussing early dating to get you back out there. An email from last week about accidental sexts reenters the chat when our first email asks about strange messages from men on dating apps. Are there really that many creeps out there, or is she doing something to attract them? The Awkward Encounter is more of a reassurance ask about where a situation left off. The next email comes from a man who met a woman IRL. He’s not ...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 541
Spring cleaning time is here, so we’re heading into April ready to clean out, refresh, and reinvigorate our mindsets with the help of one of our listeners! Jeannette Cieszykowski, Feng Shui consultant and owner of Elemental Clarity, reached out to Jared after hearing a Benefits episode about how his apartment was holding back his dating life. This Sunday Special, she joins J&J to talk about feng shui, the energies we hold in our homes, and how simple changes could help us succeed in our dating i...
Mar 31, 2024•53 min•Ep. 540
It’s the Wednesday before the big weekend – Jordana’s birthday getaway and Jared’s time to shine as his brother’s best man. Before diving into the episode, they tease what they’re anticipating ahead of their travel days, then spill into Jared’s TikTok encounter and the big debate going on with Oversharing. The first email comes from a divorced listener feeling insecure about blame her ex-husband placed on her when it came to words of affirmation. Now that she’s in a new relationship, she wants t...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 539
Dreams are coming true today– Jordana’s #1 guest, mental health icon, and host of “Where Should We Begin?,” Esther Perel is making this a standout Sunday Special. We get started with the existence of situationships, spill into her findings about eroticism and sustaining relationships, plus the universe affected when an affair occurs. The episode ends with a listener's email about a devolving sexual connection with her boyfriend, leading to her finding something unsettling from his past relations...
Mar 24, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 538
