Brooke and Jeffrey: Second Date Update - Episode Summary
Episode Title: Awkward Tuesday: Bonjour Betrayal
Release Date: April 8, 2025
Host: Brooke Fox and Jeffrey (referred to as Jose in the transcript)
Podcast Platform: iHeartPodcasts
Introduction to Awkward Tuesday: Bonjour Betrayal
In this episode of Brooke and Jeffrey: Second Date Update, Brooke Fox and Jeffrey dive into one of the most challenging and cringe-worthy scenarios they’ve encountered: assisting a listener in navigating a deceitful reference situation that could jeopardize a friend's career.
Listener Lori's Dilemma
The episode kicks off with an enthusiastic greeting from the hosts, setting the stage for an unusual and complicated listener interaction.
Jose:
"Hey, you found the Second Date Update podcast. Thank you for being here. It's Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning. But today is always your awkward Tuesday phone call."
[03:28]
Brooke:
"How far would you go to help out a friend? Would you steal for them? Would you lie for them?"
[04:00-04:11]
Listeners are introduced to Lori, a listener who finds herself in a precarious situation. Lori's friend, Jamie Tack, has listed her as a professional reference on a job application without prior consent or professional association.
Lizzo (Guest):
"My friend put me in a really awkward position."
[06:04]
Brooke:
"Her friend has requested that she tell maybe the biggest lie of her entire life. And if she doesn't do it right, it could come back and ruin her friend's career."
[04:38]
The Awkward Reference Call Simulation
To tackle Lori's predicament, Brooke and Jeffrey simulate the reference call scenario, providing both comedic relief and practical advice.
Lizzo (as Lori):
"Hi, my name is Lori Call. I'm a reference for Jamie Tack. You called me yesterday and left a message."
[13:00]
During the simulated call, Lizzo attempts to vouch for Jamie, despite having no professional experience with her. The conversation quickly becomes tangled as Lizzo fabricates details about Jamie's supposed French language skills and her role in an international sales position.
Philip Mat (Simulated Employer):
"It says here that you speak French. And she mentioned that you had spoken French too. Pretty frequently. So what is the level of expertise would you say that she has?"
[14:25]
Lizzo:
"Yeah, I mean, she is an expert. Fluent in French. But I do believe she said that she's giving it up for Lent, so she's probably not going to be able to speak it to you for at least 90 days."
[14:48-15:04]
The call concludes awkwardly as Philip becomes skeptical of the fabricated references.
Philip Mat:
"I've absolutely never heard of that one before."
[15:37-15:44]
Lizzo:
"All seven times that night."
[04:11]
Post-Call Analysis and Discussion
After the simulated call, Brooke and Jeffrey dissect what went wrong and offer insights into better handling such situations. They discuss the importance of honesty in professional references and the potential repercussions of deceit.
Brooke:
"It's not necessarily a great reference, I don't think, but you did it."
[19:02]
Jay Shetty:
"You followed through and you didn't, like, offend anyone. Well, maybe everyone in France."
[19:06]
The hosts humorously critique the fabricated elements of the call, such as the mention of "McDonald's fries over in France" and "Le Tregente," highlighting the pitfalls of creating convincing lies.
Lizzo:
"I'm really nervous. I think we should just like, hurry and just do this."
[12:28]
Jay Shetty:
"What the."
[16:50]
Episode Conclusion and Update
Towards the end of the episode, Brooke and Jeffrey provide an update on Jamie's job application status, revealing that she reached the final four candidates but ultimately was not hired. They also emphasize the importance of maintaining authentic relationships and honest professional practices.
Brooke:
"Jamie, the good news is you followed through on your promise to your friend. You gave her a reference."
[18:13]
Jeffrey (Jose):
"It might be for the best because it would be hard to live up to the lofty image that she had painted for her with all of the McDonald's stuff, the French voices."
[20:02]
The episode wraps up with a reminder to listeners to maintain integrity in their professional lives and to communicate openly with friends to avoid such awkward and potentially career-damaging situations.
Brooke:
"But maybe the best news out of all of this. This is their friendship is still intact. Oh yeah, friend appreciated. Lori went to bat for her and promises from now on she's not going to list her as a reference."
[20:24]
Key Takeaways
-
Honesty is Crucial: When providing professional references, always be truthful about your relationship and the individual's qualifications.
-
Communication Matters: Ensure that friends and colleagues understand the responsibilities and implications of being listed as a reference.
-
Consequences of Deceit: Fabricating references can lead to awkward situations, loss of trust, and potential career setbacks.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Brooke Fox:
"How far would you go to help out a friend?"
[04:00] -
Lizzo:
"My friend put me in a really awkward position."
[06:04] -
Brooke Fox:
"Would you cheat with their significant other and capture it on a secret camera to go back and show them I told you, he is no good."
[04:11] -
Philip Mat:
"That's great information to know. But let's just go ahead and jump in and start with the first question."
[13:37] -
Jay Shetty:
"You need to set the expectation that you don't have a lot of time here."
[11:58] -
Brooke Fox:
"So lock that nugget into your mind."
[11:47]
This episode of Brooke and Jeffrey: Second Date Update offers a blend of humor, real-life dilemmas, and practical advice, making it a compelling listen for anyone navigating the complexities of personal and professional relationships.