Podcast Summary

Brooke and Jeffrey: Second Date Update

Awkward Tuesday: Change Him Back

Original Air Date: December 2, 2025
Hosts: Brooke and Jeffrey
Caller: Alexandra
Guest: Ted

Episode Overview

In this special Awkward Tuesday edition, Alexandra reaches out to Brooke and Jeffrey for help with an unusual romantic dilemma: after successfully motivating her boyfriend Ted to improve his self-care, the transformation has gone too far. Ted's newfound passion for fitness and style has disrupted their once-comfortable routines, and Alexandra wants advice on how to “change him back”—or at least, get some of their old habits back without undoing all his progress. Hilarity, honesty, and a bit of relationship psychology ensue.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Alexandra’s Dilemma: The "Too Successful" Makeover

• Background: Alexandra and Ted have been dating for two years. About six months ago, Alexandra noticed Ted was getting too comfortable: “He wasn't working out anymore. He was dressing kind of sloppy, and I was like, 'I have to do something here.'” (06:10)
• For Ted's birthday, Alexandra gave him a full makeover: barber, spa, new clothes, personal trainer sessions.
• Ted embraced the changes—maybe too much. He’s now highly motivated, active, and fashion-conscious.

2. The Problem with "Perfect"

• Ted started getting a lot of outside attention. Alexandra laments, “He's getting a lot of attention from a lot of people. He kind of just ran with it... He's even dressing really nice on weekends and going for runs at 6am on Saturdays.” (07:49–08:12)
• The couple's lazy weekend routines, like grabbing scones and coffee, have disappeared: “We used to go to the bakery and get scones and coffee, and I miss that.” (08:29)
• Alexandra wants to find a way to nudge Ted back toward balance—without squashing his newfound confidence.

3. Should You Ask a Partner to Change? The Panel Weighs In

• Brooke admits, “I always like to fatten my men up a little bit because I don’t want them to be hotter than me.” (06:23)
• The hosts banter about whether or not couples can ever truly change each other—and what happens when the change goes overboard.
• Jeffrey frames the issue: “She’s happy that he’s making positive changes, but her feeling is maybe he’s taken this to the extreme.” (11:19)

4. Panel’s Advice: From Brunch Boys to Cake Camp

• Brooke’s playful suggestion: Make Ted jealous by pretending to join an enticing “Brunch Boys” club at work, possibly making him yearn for their cozy weekends again. (11:53)

  “Since he's busy on a run every Saturday morning and can't get scones with you, you might as well join the hotties from work for their bottomless mimosas.” (12:11)

• Brooke’s serious take: Have an honest, positive conversation—Ted was open to big changes before, so a gentle, balanced ask could work.
• Back-up suggestion: The team jokes about sending Ted to “Cake Camp”—an anti-fitness retreat (13:41–13:52).

5. The Awkward Call: Alexandra Talks to Ted

(Call begins at 14:17)

• Alexandra struggles to bring up the conversation without hurting Ted's feelings:

  “What if you just did, like, the same, but, like, less?” (15:16)

• Ted is confused, explaining how good he feels and how he's getting noticed (“Even your sister said I look really cute.” – 16:19)
• Alexandra grows suspicious, fixating on her sister's compliment (“She never says anybody’s attractive. She is up to something.” – 17:04)
• Jeffrey and Brooke reveal to Ted that he’s on the radio, and explain Alexandra's motivation: she misses their old, relaxed routines (18:19–18:41).
• Ted earnestly explains his new lifestyle, but is willing to compromise: “I will come home. We will block your sister on all of the social media. I will eat a pastry with you and enjoy the heck out of it.” (19:56)

6. Resolution and Reflection

• Alexandra is happy with the outcome, content they can find a middle ground: “I think we're good.” (20:16)
• Brooke praises Ted: “You have a really awesome boyfriend. You sound like a great dude, bro.” (20:19–20:23)
• Jeffrey jokes about Brooke making a move—tying back to the “Medusa of men” running gag.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Alexandra, on Ted’s transformation:

  “He looks really good. He's getting a lot of attention from a lot of people. He kind of just ran with it.” (07:49)

• Alexandra, wistfully:

  “We used to go to the bakery and get scones and coffee, and I miss that.” (08:29)

• Brooke, half-joking:

  “I always like to fatten my men up a little bit because I don't want them to be hotter than me.” (06:23)

• Ted, happy but confused:

  “You got me started on something that has really changed my life in the best way.” (15:08)

• Alexandra, playfully desperate:

  “Do you know what [scones] taste like still? Did you forget? They were so buttery, and they had like blueberries and chocolate chips... did you forget?” (15:49)

• Ted, expressing commitment:

  “I will come home. We will block your sister on all of the social media. I will eat a pastry with you and enjoy the heck out of it.” (19:56)

Key Timestamps

• [03:12] - Episode theme established: "Grass is not always greener"
• [05:09] - The big question: Can you change a man?
• [06:10] - Alexandra details Ted's pre-makeover habits
• [07:46] - Alexandra first signals regret at how well the makeover worked
• [11:53] - Brooke’s advice: jealousy and brunch boys
• [14:17] - Alexandra calls Ted (start of main call segment)
• [16:19] - Ted shares about the sister’s compliment
• [17:04] - Alexandra suspicious about the sister
• [18:19] - Alexandra’s emotional motivation explained on-air
• [19:56] - Ted offers to compromise: pastries are back!

Tone and Style

Throughout the episode, the tone remains playful, candid, and relatable, with Brooke and Jeffrey offering both earnest and tongue-in-cheek advice. Alexandra oscillates between heartfelt, awkward, and comically dramatic (“Medusa of men”), while Ted comes across as bewildered but good-natured and loving. The segment showcases the humor and vulnerability of navigating change in relationships, poking fun at self-improvement trends while also celebrating compromise and mutual support.

For New Listeners

This episode is a classic example of “Second Date Update's” blend of advice, comedy, and real-life awkwardness, making for an entertaining yet unexpectedly insightful look at couple dynamics. Even if you haven’t heard the show before, you’ll find yourself invested in Alexandra and Ted’s story—and maybe thinking twice about “fixing” your partner.