Awkward Thursday: The Name Game

Summary

---

Brooke and Jeffrey: Second Date Update

Awkward Thursday: The Name Game

Aired: February 26, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of "Awkward Thursday" from Brooke and Jeffrey centers around a uniquely comical relationship dilemma: Listener Aaron calls in seeking help after her boyfriend Paul reveals he wants to legally change his name to “Aaron” – not coincidentally, her own name. The team helps Aaron navigate how to confront her boyfriend about his unusual plan and explores the intersection of relationship quirks, personal identity, and just how "matchy matchy" is too much.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Awkward Dilemma: Paul Wants to Be Aaron

• [04:08-05:45]
  Aaron shares that her boyfriend Paul, after six months of dating, surprised her with partially filled-out legal paperwork intending to change his first name to "Aaron" (his current middle name, spelled A-A-R-O-N, while her name is E-R-I-N).
• She initially thought it was a joke or perhaps a premature proposal, but Paul was serious. His reasoning: he loves her name so much, he wants to share it.

2. Everyone’s Confused—And So Is Aaron

• [06:40-08:18]
  The hosts express bewilderment and amusement. Brooke asks, “Why does he need to legally change anything? Just go by his middle name.” Jose jokes about ‘Big Aaron’ and ‘Little Aaron’ like his family’s “Big Jose” and “Little Jose” dynamic.
• Aaron’s main concerns: confusion among friends/family and the sense of losing their individual identities within the relationship.

3. Advice from the Brooke and Jeffrey Team

• [10:01-12:37]
  Jose suggests Aaron frame her discomfort as a relationship concern: “Tell him things are going so good right now. If you change major things like this, you’re worried it’s going to hurt the relationship.”
• Brooke, ever the relationship compromiser, floats: “How would you feel about just calling him Aaron in private?”—making it an inside joke rather than a public shift.

4. Live Call with Paul (aka Prospective Aaron)

• [13:05-15:44]
  Aaron dials Paul, who pretends at first not to recognize his own name:

  “Yeah, I’m sorry, I think you got the wrong number. This is Aaron.” (Paul, 13:11)

• As Aaron carefully tries to explain her feelings, Paul insists, “First of all, it’s not the same name because you’re Erin with an E and I’m Aaron with two A’s. And actually, I had the name first…” (Paul, 14:22)
• Aaron reveals concern about “Erin Squared” jokes from Paul's mom, and Paul’s unwillingness to see the weirdness of the situation.

5. The Team Intervenes

• [15:54-18:07]
  The Brooke and Jeffrey crew “come out from behind the curtain,” explaining to Paul that the call is part of the show. Paul wishes “Aaron had talked to me before you called the radio,” but is open to figuring it out.
• Brooke reinforces: “The thing about being in a healthy relationship is being two individual, independent identities of people.” (16:56)
• Alternative suggestions fly: “What about Baron? It rhymes with Aaron.” (Brooke, 17:19)
• Paul jokes about already changing his email signature, emphasizing sunk costs: “I know, I just changed my email signature already so it’s going to be awkward to go back.” (Paul, 18:20)

6. Potential Solutions and Takeaways

• [17:39-19:24]
  Aaron proposes using "Aaron" as a pet name in private, but Paul wants the opposite: “What about I go by Aaron in public, and then in private, you still call me Paul?” (Paul, 17:56)
• Ultimately, the couple agrees to discuss the issue off-air—no immediate solution, but communication lines are open.

7. Debrief and Lighthearted Wrap-Up

• [20:53-21:59]
  The hosts reflect on the outcome with classic Brooke and Jeffrey humor:

  “I think an entire family full of Aarons could actually be kind of a cute thing.” (Jeffrey, 21:02) “Didn’t George Foreman name all his kids George?” (Brooke, 21:15)

• They encourage listeners to reach out if they have their own awkward situations.

---

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Jeffrey [04:08]:
  “When do I go through their hairbrush to send a strand to a lab and see if there’s any signs of fentanyl use?”
• Brooke [06:02]:
  “We’ve been together for six months and a terrible proposal. Can someone document.”
• Aaron (Caller) [08:36]:
  “It wasn’t making a lot of sense to me.”
• Paul [13:11]:
  “Yeah, I’m sorry, I think you got the wrong number. This is Aaron.”
• Aaron (Caller) [15:05]:
  “My friends think that it’s weird. I think that it’s weird.”
• Brooke [16:56]:
  “The thing about being in a healthy relationship is being two individual, independent identities of people.”
• Paul [18:20]:
  “I just changed my email signature already, so it’s going to be awkward to go back.”
• Jeffrey [21:09]:
  “I think an entire family full of Aarons could actually be kind of a cute thing.”

---

Important Timestamps

• 02:17 — Segment starts; Brooke introduces “Awkward Thursday”
• 04:08 — Aaron describes her boyfriend’s unusual request
• 06:18 — Revealed: Paul wants to change his first name to Aaron
• 08:36 — Aaron details why this feels "weird"
• 10:01 — Advice from the team: Threaten with consequences, propose private nicknames
• 13:05 — Live call with Paul (awkward introduction)
• 14:22 — Paul defends his name change, “I had the name first”
• 16:56 — Brooke’s relationship wisdom on individuality
• 17:56 — Paul proposes the opposite nickname scenario for privacy
• 21:02 — Hosts joke about “family full of Aarons”
• 21:59 — Episode wrap-up and listener call to action

---

Summary Notes

• Theme: The episode comically investigates where the lines of romance and identity blur—how much sameness is too much, and how to assert one’s comfort boundaries without hurting a partner’s feelings.
• Tone: Upbeat and full of classic “Brooke and Jeffrey” humor, with supportive but irreverent advice.
• Resolution: Open-ended—Aaron and Paul agree to discuss off-air but seem willing to work it out.
• Listener Engagement: The segment leverages the awkwardness for laughs but also models how to have tough relationship conversations (even if they start on-air!).

---

For Fans:
Expect a classic “Awkward Thursday” blend of cringe, laughs, and relationship realness—plus plenty of puns and a one-in-a-million name conundrum!

---

Transcript

[Jamie Lynn Sigler]

If you're an H Vac technician and a call comes in, Grainger knows that you need a partner that helps you find the right product fast and hassle free. And you know that when the first problem of the day is a clanking blower motor, there's no need to break a sweat. With Grainger's easy to use website and product details, you're confident you'll soon have everything humming right along. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickgrainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done. Hey all, I'm Jamie Lynn Sigler, a mom, actor and advocate. I know how overwhelming it can be trying to decide which treatment is right for you. I've been there. But you should know you're not alone. You can do this. Start with some research, talk to the community and most importantly, don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions. You might find results that speak for themselves. That's how I landed on Qysimta. Ask your doctor if Qsimta ofatumumab could be right for you. You can check out the [e-mail] indeed

[Advertiser/Announcer]

sponsor jobs get you quality candidates when you need them most. Spend less time searching and more time actually interviewing candidates who check all your boxes. Less stress, less time, more results when you need the right person to cut through the chaos. This is a job for indeed sponsored jobs and listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job the prem it deserves@ Indeed.com podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire. This is a job for indeed sponsored jobs. The greatest to ever play the game return to finish what they started.

[Jeffrey]

Welcome to Survivor 50. I wanted one more shot to play the game that I fell in love with 25 years ago.

[Aaron (Caller)]

I want to win against the best of the best.

[Jeffrey]

I chickened out at the final tribal.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Season 50.

[Brooke]

It's an honor.

[Advertiser/Announcer]

Light your torch.

[Jamie Lynn Sigler]

I've got some unfinished business.

[Jeffrey]

Be part of history.

[Jose]

I have more to play for this bigger than ever.

[Advertiser/Announcer]

Survivor 50 new milestone season begins CBS tonight at 8. 7 Central.

[Jeffrey]

Eczema's unrelenting itch and rash. If you know the feeling, you should know the facts. The eczema medication you're taking may not be right for you. Visit myrawtruth.com and talk to your dermatologist about your symptoms and treatment options.

[Brooke]

Okay, back by popular demand. It is a special awkward Thursday phone call today. Seriously, it's super popular demand. You guys love awkward Thursday. Yes, that cringe is something that is, you know, really beloved on this show.

[Jeffrey]

It's not that.

[Jamie Lynn Sigler]

It's Jeff's intro for Awkward Thursday, of course. Oh, I see.

[Brooke]

That's. Tune out after you found the Second Date podcast. And we're glad you're here. Before we get to it, though, we love to always highlight your comments. Yes, Annie and Matthew said you guys have become my new addiction. Y' all are the first thing I hear in the morning and the last thing I think about when I go to bed. I think I'm in a relationship with this podcast. Are we exclusive?

[Bowen Yang]

Oh, I don't know.

[Brooke]

No, I don't like titles.

[Jeffrey]

Oh, yeah, sorry.

[Advertiser/Announcer]

Please, No.

[Brooke]

I didn't mean to freak Alexis out. Come on. All right, let's just get to it before I talk or say too much. Yeah, I. Your brand new Awkward Thursday Swords right?

[Jeffrey]

Now, if your boyfriend says he has a little romantic surprise for you. Oh, what are you hoping for? Okay, maybe a candle at dinner. Yes. Trip to Sandals, Jamaica.

[Jose]

Sandals.

[Jeffrey]

A salmon protein shake. One glass, two straws. Hello.

[Brooke]

Spice. Got to be blended.

[Jeffrey]

Well, one of our listeners says she was not ready for the surprise her boyfriend had in store, and now she needs help figuring out how to get him to take it back. Uh. Oh, and do it without hurting his feelings.

[Brooke]

Yikes.

[Jeffrey]

You're gonna hear it in your special all new Awkward Thursday phone call right after this.

[Jose]

It's awkward.

[Jeffrey]

It's Thursday. It's Awkward Thursday phone call. When you think of the most awkward parts of navigating any new relationship, it usually involves questions like, when do I introduce them to my friends and my family?

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Bowen Yang]

Yeah.

[Jeffrey]

When do I go through their hairbrush to send a strand to a lab and see if there's any signs of fentanyl use? You know, those are normal, everyday things that people always go through at the start of a relationship. But one of our listeners, Aaron, is navigating a different set of circumstances, one that I don't think I've ever heard before. So, Aaron, thank you for trusting us with the health and wellness of your relationship. Welcome to the show.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Thanks, guys. Thank you. Yeah. I need some guidance in this.

[Jeffrey]

Yeah, okay.

[Brooke]

It's fine. People who call us are always desperate. It's okay.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Yeah.

[Jeffrey]

Are you collecting strands of his hair yet?

[Aaron (Caller)]

You know, it hasn't gotten that far yet, but based on the story, I don't know. If I did, you probably wouldn't blame me.

[Brooke]

What are we solving? Is this a mystery? What's happening, happening?

[Jeffrey]

What's going on?

[Aaron (Caller)]

Okay, so basically, I have been dating this guy his name is Paul. We've been together for about six months or so, and it's been going great until just the other day he brings up this scenario.

[Jeffrey]

Yeah, I'm sorry.

[Brooke]

You didn't need a sound effect in that. Yeah.

[Advertiser/Announcer]

Wait a minute.

[Jose]

Did you say another day?

[Jeffrey]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Brooke]

What happened?

[Aaron (Caller)]

So anyway, we were having dinner at my apartment the other night, and he's like, oh, I've got a surprise for you. And so he hands me a piece of paper that he had printed out from, like, the Cord county system or something, and it's a name change form.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Name change?

[Brooke]

Name change.

[Jeffrey]

Like legally?

[Aaron (Caller)]

Yeah, like you legally change your name.

[Advertiser/Announcer]

Who?

[Aaron (Caller)]

My first thought was, like, oh, my gosh, is this like a proposal? And you're now gonna change your last name?

[Jeffrey]

Change your last name? The most clerical article ever.

[Aaron (Caller)]

That would be a red flag. Enough.

[Brooke]

We've been together for six months and a terrible proposal. Can someone document.

[Jose]

Well, will you notarize this legal document with me?

[Jeffrey]

It's romantic that he went the extra mile to do that for her.

[Brooke]

Wait, what was it? Was it filled out?

[Aaron (Caller)]

So it was like half filled out. But I. Once I took a look at it, I saw it was his name on the form, and I was like, oh, he wants to change his name. Okay. And he basically tells me that he likes my name so much, my name's Aaron, that he wants to change his name to Aaron, too. Like the male variation.

[Brooke]

Yeah, double A instead of er.

[Jeffrey]

But what's. What was your reaction to that?

[Aaron (Caller)]

I. My first. I thought it was a joke, and so I'm like. I start laughing and I was like, oh, my God, wouldn't that be crazy? And he's so serious about it, and I was like, oh, my God, are you.

[Brooke]

He wants to go from Paul to Aaron.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Yeah, he wants to legally change his name. And I didn't even know this, but his middle name is Aaron.

[Brooke]

What?

[Jeffrey]

Already?

[Brooke]

Why does he need to legally change anything? Then just go by his middle name. Yeah, tell me what to call him.

[Jose]

Aaron.

[Brooke]

I mean, why would you want to be Aaron? Aaron?

[Aaron (Caller)]

It seems very dramatic, but that's what he wanted. He wanted to be Aaron and Aaron.

[Brooke]

He wants to be Aaron. Aaron dating an Aaron.

[Jose]

Okay, so there's red flags here. I don't know what they are.

[Brooke]

Yeah, I don't know, but they're here. Of those names, when you say it a lot, it starts to not sound like a word.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Exactly.

[Jeffrey]

Okay, personally, I like this idea, but I'm sensing in the room and from you, yourself, Aaron, that you're not a fan.

[Bowen Yang]

What.

[Jeffrey]

What are your qualms about it?

[Aaron (Caller)]

I mean, one. It would be confusing. First of all, I mean, who are we referring to, right? And also, it's weird. He's met a lot of my friends. He just recently met my mom. And now I gotta go back and say, like, oh, yes, I know he was Paul, but now, just because he wanted us to be matchy matchy, now his name is Aaron, so everyone now call him Aaron.

[Jose]

Through with it. My dad's name is also Jose. We go by Big Jose.

[Advertiser/Announcer]

Little Jose.

[Jose]

You could go by Big Aaron, Little

[Jeffrey]

Aaron, Boy Aaron, Girl Aaron Big.

[Jose]

And little was better.

[Brooke]

I still don't understand his reasoning.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Yeah, I don't. I just kept saying that he just really, really likes the name. And he calls me by that name all the time, obviously. And he just was saying that he. He wanted to also feel that good about it when people would call him by that name. I don't know. It wasn't making a lot of sense to me.

[Brooke]

You owe the name Aaron to him.

[Jose]

If you believe him, you should be flattered in a sense. Like, he's truly.

[Brooke]

But can you continue dating a guy who changed his name to your name?

[Advertiser/Announcer]

Never.

[Jose]

Girl change her name to Jose.

[Jeffrey]

Brook, you have the same last name as your husband before you guys got married, so you don't have any room to judge her.

[Jose]

Hold on.

[Brooke]

Last names. Last names. It'd be weird if we were both girl.

[Matt Rogers]

All right.

[Jose]

Calling the kettle.

[Jeffrey]

Brook, seriously. So obviously you've reached out to us today because this decision on his part is making you feel uncomfortable, but what are you hoping to do with your awkward Thursday phone call?

[Aaron (Caller)]

Well, so he. I mean, he hasn't changed it officially yet, but he is starting the process, and I just. I need advice to stop him from doing that without hurting his feelings.

[Brooke]

Okay. Because you don't want to break up with him or anything.

[Jose]

You still like them?

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Yeah.

[Aaron (Caller)]

I mean, it's been going really well just up until this moment.

[Jeffrey]

Okay. I mean, some say it might go even better if you're both Aaron, but, you know, it's up to you. It's fine. We can try and help you out when we come back.

[Jose]

You say Aaron and Sharon.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Yeah.

[Jeffrey]

Yeah, some do say that. But we will come up with some advice to give you on how to tell your boyfriend not to change his name to match yours when we come back for your awkward Thursday phone call right after this.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Thank you.

[Jeffrey]

Now, hold on.

[Jose]

It's awkward.

[Jeffrey]

It's Thursday.

[Jose]

It's awkward Thursday phone call.

[Jeffrey]

Tina Fey, Brad Pitt, Rihanna. All people who decided to publicly go by their middle names. And look where they are now. Washed up has beens who will do anything Desperately trying to stay in the sky.

[Brooke]

Spotlight Ran is like a billionaire.

[Jeffrey]

Self made, only a billionaire.

[Jose]

Yikes.

[Jeffrey]

Sad story. And I think we learned from all those examples that going with the middle is a terrible idea. And our listener Aaron wants to make sure her boyfriend doesn't end up as the next Brad Pitt.

[Jose]

Oh wait, that sounds so weird.

[Jeffrey]

No, doesn't want it cuz his name's Paul, but he wants to start going by his middle name, Aaron, which, yes, is the exact same as his girlfriend, just slightly different spelling. And our listener Aaron doesn't want that to happen because it's strange. Yeah, and luckily he hasn't done it officially yet. But I do want to just get a little clarification. Aaron. Is he legally wanting to change his name to Aaron Aaron or what?

[Aaron (Caller)]

Oh, okay. No. So he basically he just wants to swap his first and middle name legally. Okay, so instead of being Paul Aaron,

[Jeffrey]

he wants to be Aaron Paul, like

[Brooke]

the guy from Breaking Bad.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Yeah.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Right?

[Jeffrey]

Yeah. His career has not gone well since the end of Breaking Bad.

[Jose]

If his last name is Heisenberg, he missed the window.

[Jeffrey]

Exactly. So again, Aaron needs advice on how to stop her boyfriend from changing his name. Jose, what do you have for her?

[Jose]

A person's name is a big thing, Right? It's not their identity, but it can be your personality.

[Brooke]

Oh, for sure. I feel. Brooke.

[Matt Rogers]

Yes.

[Brooke]

Like in my. In my soul.

[Jose]

So just tell him. Like things are going so good right now. If you change major things like this, you're worried it's going to hurt the relationship.

[Brooke]

Okay, it's going to affect him.

[Jeffrey]

Okay, that's good. Threaten him with a bad future. Brooke, what's your advice?

[Brooke]

Okay, well, I'm all about, you know, me, compromise in a relationship.

[Jeffrey]

Wow, that is Brook to a T.

[Brooke]

Okay, so Aaron, how would you feel about just calling him Aaron in private?

[Jeffrey]

Oh, like a dirty secret?

[Brooke]

Kind of.

[Advertiser/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Brooke]

Like proposing, like. Listen, honey, you just keep Paul and then I'll call you Aaron. And that can be our thing. Because it's weird to tell your friends and family. That's the weird part.

[Aaron (Caller)]

By the way he's been talking about it, I honestly doubt that he'll go for that. I think he wants it to be like universal. But I'll definitely pitch it.

[Jeffrey]

Okay, well, okay. I mean, I would just be careful because if you don't start calling him Aaron in private, one of his co workers Might. And you're into a whole new area of weirdness. But we have the advice out there for you. You can use it if you like to, but it's really up to you. I'm going to dial Paul, at least for now, your boyfriend, and we'll see if he picks up. Here we go.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Hello?

[Aaron (Caller)]

Hi, Paul.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Yeah, I'm sorry, I think you got the wrong number. This is Aaron.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Yeah, it's me. Aaron.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Hey. Oh. Oh, hey, babe. How's it going?

[Aaron (Caller)]

Hey. So you know how I was going to come over after work tonight? I don't think I should come by anymore, actually.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Oh. Why not, sugar bear?

[Aaron (Caller)]

To be honest, I feel like things have really been going well in our relationship recently, but lately I. I just been kind of frustrated. I don't know how to talk to you about it exactly.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Oh. I mean, I think it's going well, too. Look, I. Whatever's on your mind, you can tell me, because I'm your sugar bear. All right, I'll listen to you. Aaron to Aaron. I'm here. I'm here for you. I'm all.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Okay, that. That right there, that. That is what is not sitting well with me.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Wait, what's not me being here for you?

[Aaron (Caller)]

No, no, just you using my name as your name.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Okay, well, first of all, it's not the same name because you're Aaron with an E and I'm Aaron with an A with two A's. And I actually had the name first and be changed the name. It's probably you.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Wait, what?

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

I was older that my mom gave me that name before. Your mom gave you that?

[Aaron (Caller)]

Well, even you told me that the only reason that you wanted to go by that name was because once we started dating, really liked the way that it sound like it was the inspiration was from my first name.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

And it was. And I thank you for that. I went, wow, this person, but I also went, wow. I think I'm also that person. I think. I think that's me.

[Aaron (Caller)]

The point is, we've been seeing each other for six months now, and my friends think that it's weird. I think that it's weird.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Come on. They're probably just saying that out of jealousy because we have a good thing going there and they think it's super cute.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Nobody unfortunately thinks it's super cute other than you. And apparently your mom. Your mom even keeps making this dumb joke about us being Erin squared, and I don't want that.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

But you know what? She said she loves it so much, she might start using it.

[Jeffrey]

What?

[Bowen Yang]

What?

[Aaron (Caller)]

Oh, now your mom wants to go buy Aaron, too.

[Jose]

There's no way.

[Brooke]

That's gotta be a joke.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

What just happened? Are you okay?

[Brooke]

Oh, man. I don't know if she's okay.

[Advertiser/Announcer]

Oh, boy.

[Jeffrey]

Yeah, we're feeling okay, though, because we're telling you that you're on the radio right now, Paul.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Okay, first of all, Aaron is my name. Second of all, who are you people?

[Jeffrey]

We're a radio show. We're called Brooke and Jeffrey in the Morning.

[Jose]

Hi.

[Jeffrey]

And your girlfriend, Aaron, is a listener. She asked us to reach out to you for this segment called the Awkward Thursday Phone Call.

[Brooke]

It's a good thing. She wants to make this relationship work. That's why she was asking for help.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Exactly.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

That's really sweet. This is super embarrassing. I wish you would talk to me, Aaron, before you called the radio. But she didn't know how to. Let's figure this out.

[Jeffrey]

Yeah, that's what we're here to help figure it out.

[Matt Rogers]

Yes.

[Jamie Lynn Sigler]

Are you being serious?

[Brooke]

Your mom wants to change her name to Aaron? I'm sorry, we got to go back to that.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Well, she's the one who gave me the name in the first place, so she's always liked it. It might just be because she never got the chance to have that name when.

[Jeffrey]

Okay, yeah, clearly she has a fondness for it.

[Jose]

I mean, everybody should have an opportunity to be an errand for.

[Jeffrey]

Sure.

[Brooke]

Ridiculous. Yeah, I mean, the thing about being in a healthy relationship is being two individual, independent identities of people.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Exactly. Like you need to be you and have your own identity and something that means that for you. If you don't like the name Paul, that's totally fine. We can go with something else. Just anything but my name.

[Jeffrey]

I mean, another name.

[Brooke]

What about Baron? It rhymes with Aaron. Okay, there's so many options.

[Jeffrey]

Karen. That's a really popular name right now.

[Aaron (Caller)]

They come up with something for sure.

[Jeffrey]

How about we use initials? Where Guy Aaron, you can be AP And Girl Aaron, you could be ep.

[Brooke]

No. Okay, Guy Aaron can just stay Paul.

[Advertiser/Announcer]

Jeff.

[Brooke]

That's what we're working for.

[Aaron (Caller)]

This is getting so confusing. But I think Brooke gave some good advice. She said, why don't I just call you Aaron in private? And I can just be like our thing, like, you know, my little pet name for you. But then still in life, you go

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

by Paul, your legal name.

[Jeffrey]

What do you think about that, Paul?

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

What about this? What about I go by Aaron in public, and then if it bothers you so much, then in private you can still call me Paul.

[Jose]

Oh, the opposite. Yeah.

[Aaron (Caller)]

No, that's like circumventing all the issues, which is that you've already been introduced to my family and my friends and everyone in your life as Paul. It would be. It would be crazy to change it now.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

I know. I just changed my email signature already, so it's going to be awkward to go.

[Jose]

That's free.

[Aaron (Caller)]

That's a lot easier than legally changing your name.

[Jeffrey]

How about let's just meet in the middle and all agree on Sugar Aaron and call it a day.

[Aaron (Caller)]

I don't know if I can get on board with that.

[Jose]

I still like them as squaring as a couple. That was a cute name, all of this.

[Brooke]

What are you going to do?

[Aaron (Caller)]

I think we're going to have to sit down and have a conversation about that somewhere. Maybe not on air.

[Jeffrey]

Okay, that's a good idea. And the best news is we accomplished what we were trying to with this call, and that's put the idea out there. Just put the problem out in the open so everybody knows there's an issue.

[Brooke]

Pretty sure we established at the beginning we were trying to stop him from

[Jeffrey]

changing his name to Paul, and Now we have 15 different solutions that they can choose from for how they want to resolve it. So you two go off the air and figure out how you want to call each other and report back to us. Give us an update on how you decided.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Okay.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Yeah, we definitely have some good leads.

[Brooke]

Yeah, but don't just sign an Aaron, because we won't know who wrote us.

[Jeffrey]

Yes, Sugar Aaron, please write us back.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning.

[Matt Rogers]

This is Matt Rogers from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.

[Bowen Yang]

This is Bowen Yang from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.

[Matt Rogers]

Hey, so what if you could boost the WI fi to one of your devices when you need it most?

[Bowen Yang]

Because Xfinity WI Fi can you. And what if your WI fi could fix itself before there's even really a problem? Xfinity is so reliable. It does that, too.

[Matt Rogers]

What if your wifi had parental instincts? Xfinity WI fi is part nanny, part ninja, protecting your kids while they're online.

[Bowen Yang]

And finally, what if your wifi was like, the smartest WI fi?

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah, it's wifi that is so smart, it makes everything work better together.

[Bowen Yang]

Bottom line, Xfinity is smart and reliable. You deserve the peace of mind of having WI fi that's got your back.

[Matt Rogers]

Xfinity.

[Jeffrey]

Imagine that Lego Star wars just made the jump to hyperspace. Introducing the Lego smart brick. New Lego Star wars sets with smart bricks. Inspire your child's imagination, taking their play to uncharted regions of the galaxy with responsive lights, a color recognition scanner, a synthesizer, and an accelerometer. Your child's play doesn't just come alive. It allows the Lego Star wars galaxy to play back. May the Force be with you. Shop Lego Star wars sets now on lego.com or in lego retail stores. Well, did we accomplish what we set out to do at the start of this phone call?

[Brooke]

No.

[Jeffrey]

Nah, not exactly.

[Paul (Aaron's boyfriend)]

Not at all.

[Jeffrey]

Did we at least get the conversation started between the two of them?

[Brooke]

Yes.

[Aaron (Caller)]

Yes, that's true.

[Jeffrey]

I'm gonna take that as a victory for us. And I think an entire family full of errands could actually be kind of a cute thing.

[Brooke]

Really?

[Jeffrey]

Yeah, like the Kardashian family with their whole K situation. Okay, this just takes it to the extreme literal.

[Brooke]

Didn't George Foreman name all his kids George? Yeah, they're like. There's like 18 Georges in his family.

[Jeffrey]

There is a road to happiness with these two.

[Jose]

They can just pronounce it different. Aaron a. A Ron.

[Brooke]

The famous pronunciation. I'm imagining all the monogrammed Aaron stuff around the house.

[Jeffrey]

The more we talk about it, the more I like it.

[Brooke]

So at least the less I hope

[Jeffrey]

that they give us an update on what they decide to do with their names. Maybe they'll have the same last names too. How cute will that be?

[Jose]

What if that's the compromise?

[Brooke]

That will not be cute.

[Jeffrey]

They get married.

[Brooke]

Yeah, I guess it'd be easier for taxes.

[Jose]

Well, then they have the first name and last name.

[Jeffrey]

Oh, no. Oh, I'm loving it more and more. And we can help out you in your personal life, just like we did with the Aaron family.

[Brooke]

Don't use that as a selling point.

[Jeffrey]

Reach out to the show and we can help try to resolve your issues with an awkward call. Make sure you go. If you're listening to this right now, subscribe to our podcast. You get all the awkwardness wherever you listen.

[Bowen Yang]

This is Bowen Yang from Lost Culture Research with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. We all know the feeling when life gets really busy. Taking care of yourself can feel impossible. That's why Premier protein shakes are my go to. They have 30 grams of protein, 160 calories, no added sugar, and they taste amazing. So they're a healthy choice you'll actually want to make. It's not just for fitness. It's for getting after life. Premier Protein powers me to say yes to more. Find your favorite flavor@premier protein.com. that's P R E M I E R protein.com well, the holidays have come

[Advertiser/Announcer]

and gone once again. But if you've forgotten to get that special someone in your life a gift, well, Mint Mobile is extending their holiday offer of half off unlimited wireless. So here's the idea. You get it now, you call it an early present for next year.

[Jeffrey]

What do you have to lose?

[Advertiser/Announcer]

Give it a [e-mail] Switch limited time

[Oikos Protein Shake Announcer]

50% off regular price for new customers. Upfront payment required $45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for 12 month. Plan taxes and FE speeds may slow after 50 gigabytes per month when network is busy. See terms we know mornings can be hectic, which is why every little win matters. And breakfast? It's got wins of its own, like grabbing the new Oikos protein shake for 30 grams of protein. That's a big little win. Or pouring silk almond milk for five essential nutrients and giving your cereal a little extra goodness. That's a sweet win. Add international delight to boost your cough and let Activia yogurt handle gut business. Win and win. And right now, another win. Get $5 when you spend $10 or more on participating favorites. [e-mail] Mornings Upgraded this is Matt Rogers

[Matt Rogers]

from Los Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.

[Bowen Yang]

This is Bowen Yang from Los Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.

[Matt Rogers]

Hey, so what if you could boost the WI fi to one of your devices when you need it most?

[Bowen Yang]

Because Xfinity WI fi carefully. And what if your WI fi could fix itself before there's even really a problem? Xfinity is so reliable it does that too.

[Matt Rogers]

What if your wifi had parental instincts? Xfinity WI Fi is part nanny, part ninja, protecting your kids while they're online.

[Bowen Yang]

And finally, what if your WI fi was like, the smartest WI fi?

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah, it's WI fi that is so smart it makes everything work better together.

[Bowen Yang]

Bottom line, Xfinity is smart and reliable. You deserve the peace of mind of having WI fi that's got your back.

[Matt Rogers]

Xfinity.

[Advertiser/Announcer]

Imagine that the Emmy winning comedy Scrubs is back. The beloved original cast, including Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalk, Judy Reyes and John C. McKinley, scrub back in at Sacred Heart Hospital for all new hilarious and heartfelt stories. There's a healthy injection of colorful new characters as well, including a fresh group of newbie interns and coworkers, Nemeses Vanessa Baer and Joel Kim. Booster the new season of scrubs, Wednesdays at 87 Central on ABC and stream on Hulu.