Podcast Summary: Brooke and Jeffrey: Second Date Update

Episode: Awkward Thursday: No Free Family Dinner

Date: November 13, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This episode’s main theme is an “Awkward Thursday” phone call centered around escalating family drama during Thanksgiving. Listener Patrick calls in for help when his sister, Angela, decides to charge each family $100 for attending Thanksgiving dinner, sparking conflict, division, and even a walk-out by Patrick’s wife. Brooke, Jeffrey, and the team deliver their trademark blend of empathy and humor as they mediate the conflict and unpack the surprising economics and ethics of holiday hosting fees.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Holiday Family Drama ([03:15]–[06:12])

• The hosts share that Patrick needs help resolving a brewing Thanksgiving battle after his wife refuses to attend the holiday with his family for the first time in years.
• Family drama is teased as being unusually "berserky" (a running joke attempts to coin the term “berserk turkey”).
• The hosts emphasize that family conflict is universal:

  “We all have family drama, so we got your back.” — Brooke ([06:03])

2. Patrick Explains the Situation ([06:12]–[09:31])

• Patrick’s sister Angela has hosted Thanksgiving for 5–6 years at her large house as the “golden goose” of the family.
• Inspired by a news story, Angela decides to charge $100 per family for dinner, justifying the move by food and hosting costs.
• Patrick’s wife, thinking it’s a joke, confronts Angela and, after a heated call, books herself to another city for the holiday.
• Conflict escalates: Patrick feels torn, his wife is hurt, and Angela refuses to lower the fee, even for fewer family members:

  “Her response was, ‘Good, we don’t need her. And it’d still be $100.’” — Patrick ([08:47])

• Other family members have already paid; Patrick discouraged them and invoked the hosts as “experts”.

3. Analyzing the Family Economics ([09:47]–[12:43])

• The hosts dig into Angela’s logistics—charging by family, not by individual, and even up-selling upgrades (later revealed).
• Brooke probes Patrick’s desired outcome: to get Angela to see “this is a family gathering, not a paid per plate deal.”

  “Basically, just look at the situation…this isn’t a paid per plate kind of deal.” — Patrick ([10:08])

4. Advice for Patrick ([12:43]–[14:14])

• Brooke suggests appealing to Angela’s sense of family and, if unsuccessful, threatening to reveal embarrassing stories at dinner:

  “Just let her know that you may or may not be sharing a very embarrassing story from childhood at the Thanksgiving table.” — Brooke ([12:57])

• Jose proposes a white lie: pay the fee but tell Patrick’s wife it was free.
• Patrick agrees to try whatever will keep the peace and save Thanksgiving.

5. The Awkward Call with Angela ([14:19]–[20:27])

The Call Begins ([14:19]–[15:02])

• Angela is surprised on the call (new phone confusion) and jokes about spam calls.

Angela’s “Entrepreneurial” Thanksgiving ([15:02]–[16:54])

• Angela cheerfully insists that charging family will make for “one of the best Thanksgivings we’ve had.”

• She admits expecting a surplus, not just covering expenses.

• Revelations include:

  • Charging $50 each for grandparents’ “priority parking”
  • Pie upgrades: “You get a bigger slice with more whipped cream for $7” ([16:39])
  • All proceeds ultimately go toward a new garage door, damaged while Angela was distracted by TikTok.

• The hosts (now on the line) are incredulous and amused:

  “Are you charging our grandparents for an important service?” — Patrick ([15:59]) “You know, you don’t need to rope anything off. You don’t even need to charge...” — Patrick ([18:55])

On-Air Confrontation & Angela’s Defense ([17:11]–[18:34])

• Hosts reveal themselves; Angela says nobody but Patrick's wife has complained, claiming her actions are just "entrepreneurial."
• Brooke points out, “You’re dividing the family. His wife is refusing to come. Other family members are upset.” ([17:54])
• Angela remains steadfast, arguing she's bringing value and funding her repairs—a mix of Anna Delvey tenacity and Thanksgiving chef pride.

The Negotiation ([19:10]–[20:24])

• Angela sticks to her guns: “He should pay the hundred and be there.” ([19:15])
• After failed negotiations, Patrick pivots to Jose’s advice:

  “I’ll slip you the $100. Just don’t tell Amanda, okay?” — Patrick ([19:25])

• Angela ups the ante, joking that being put on radio is an extra charge: “You know what? Make it $150. I have a deal.” ([19:38])
• Brooke quips about upcharges for radio and pie, as the hosts encourage Patrick to take the deal before the price climbs.
• Patrick gives in: "I'll pay the $150 and throw in the pie upgrade for my wife." ([20:14])
• Angela replies, “Good doing business with you, brother.” ([20:21])

6. Wrap-Up and Reflection ([22:35]–[23:40])

• Hosts reflect (with sarcasm) on what they’ve “learned,” noting Angela is a true “boss”:

  “The older sister…has quite the business line.” — Brooke ([22:41])

• They admit these situations are messy, and “greedy” people sometimes profit most—half-jokingly suggesting others try it.
• Brooke points out Angela still “loses money” after so many years hosting, while Jeffrey jokes about Venmo QR codes at the table.
• Closing wishes: “Best of luck to Angela and Patrick and their entire family this Thanksgiving.” ([23:32])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Berserky Day:

  “You know you’re about to hear some drama that’s been going down between a brother and a sister that’s turning their turkey day into berserky day.” — Jeffrey ([04:22])

• Angela’s Business Plan:

  “This year it looks like I’m actually gonna have a bit of a surplus here.” — Angela ([15:26]) “Pie upgrades…you get a bigger slice with more whipped cream for $7.” — Angela ([16:28])

• Escalating Negotiations:

  “I’ll slip you the hundred dollars. Just don’t tell Amanda, okay?” — Patrick ([19:25]) “You know what? Make it 150. I have a deal.” — Angela ([19:38]) “Good doing business with you, brother.” — Angela ([20:21])

• The Hosts’ Takeaway:

  “We failed him so hard.” — Brooke ([20:27]) “If you ever need some help in your personal life, you can always email the show…we can do an awkward Thursday phone call…” — Jeffrey ([23:36])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Holiday drama introduction: [03:15]
• Patrick explains the situation: [06:12]
• Angela’s $100 per family plan: [07:32]
• Wife’s reaction and family fallout: [07:47]–[08:52]
• Hosts’ advice to Patrick: [12:43]
• Call to Angela begins: [14:19]
• Angela reveals her “upcharges”: [15:41]–[16:41]
• Hosts step in: [17:11]
• Negotiation and agreement: [19:25]–[20:24]
• Hosts reflect and close out: [22:35]–[23:40]

Tone and Language

The episode is lighthearted, sarcastic, and playful, despite the real familial tension. The hosts oscillate between genuine empathy and comic exaggeration, never losing sight of the entertainment at the core of the show.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a comedic yet insightful exploration of how money and family expectations can combust around the holidays. Even as the drama resolves with Angela winning the fee war, the laughs and relatability will hit home for anyone who’s ever endured a less-than-perfect family gathering. The hosts’ blend of roast, advice, and audience participation deliver another crowd-pleasing installment of "Awkward Thursday.”