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You can scroll the headlines all day and still feel empty. I'm Ben Higgins, and if youf Can Hear Me is where culture meets the soul. Honest conversations about identity, loss, purpose, peace, faith, and everything in between. Celebrities, thinkers, everyday people. Some have answers. Most are still figuring it out. And if you've ever felt like there has to be more to the story, this show is for you. Listen to if youf Can Hear me on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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In the middle of the night, Saskia awoke in a haze. Her husband Mike was on his laptop. What was on his screen would change Saskia's life forever. I said, I need you to tell me exactly what you're doing. And immediately the mask came off.
C
You're supposed to be safe. That's your home. That's your husband.
B
Listen to Betrayal Season 5 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Over the last couple years, didn't we learn that the folding chair was invented by black people because of what happened in Alabama? This Black History Month, the podcast Selective Ignorance with Mandy B unpacks black history and culture with comedy, clarity and conversations that shake the status quo. The Crown act in New York was signed in July of 2019, and that is a bill that was passed to prohibit discrimination based on hairstyles associated with race. To hear this and more, listen to Selective Ignorance with Mandy B. From the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
D
The holidays are all about connection. Good food, good friends and those cozy moments. This season, skip boring mocktails and celebrate with rk, the world's first zero proof Spirits. All the taste and warmth of your favorite holiday pours with zero alcohol, zero.
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Celebrate freely with RK0 proof. Visit rkbeverages.com@charmin we heard you shouldn't talk.
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About going to the bathroom in public, so we decided to sing about it.
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Shaman Ultra Strong Charmin Ultra Strong with Diamond Weed Texture cleans better than the leading one Plaid brand so you can use less. Enjoy the go with Charmin. I'll tell you that after we're done with the awkward Tuesday phone call. Today I do want to go have drinks with a woman that was on the phone with us. Oh, yeah, she sounds like a good time.
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She does.
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You're going to find out why here with a brand new episode. Thank you so much for finding the Brooke and Jeffrey second date update. Yes, we think you're really going to enjoy today. But first comments. Jules said I'm 14 and I love listening to the second date update while I'm cleaning cars. Oh. Oh, you missed a spot there, Jules. Oh, yeah, yeah. Oh, I just spilled coffee in mine today. Could you come? No. Take care of that for me.
D
Is she the inside or just the outside?
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Probably just the outside.
C
Yeah.
B
Darn, she can't even drive one yet.
D
Alexis.
B
All right, your brand new episode starts right now.
E
It's awkward.
B
It's Tuesday.
E
It's awkward.
B
Tuesday.
D
Phone call. I recently asked Brooke, what's the latest tally on your list of best friends? Seems to just be forever growing. Just keep adding them on. How many are we at now, Brooke?
B
I think I have like nine best friends. Oh, does that sound right?
D
Okay, so Jose and I made the list. We're on the list, right?
B
Yeah, yeah, you're on the list.
D
I feel like I don't believe you now. She's not making any eye contact with us.
B
First names I thought of.
D
Okay, I'm just. Brooke, I'm curious. Is it ever hard to do things with one of your best friends or just a small group of them and exclude some of the others? Does that feel bad?
B
They're all from different parts of my life, so they don't necessarily overlap.
D
So, no, you don't feel bad. That's all you have to say? She keeps them where she wants them all. Yeah, I'm just saying it doesn't feel good to be excluded. And one of our listeners, Joe, is on the line right now because he's feeling hurt after he got left off of the guest list. Joe, welcome to the show, man.
E
Hey, thanks for having me, guys.
B
You're not my best friend. Who? I forgot their name. Were you? My bad.
E
No. No.
C
Okay.
B
Yeah.
D
Okay. Don't worry. She will forget your name in five minutes from now, so just give it a little time. But tell us who hurt your feelings and didn't invite you.
E
So this is my best friend, Monica. Monica and I have been friends since college and there's never been anything romantic between the two of us. It's totally platonic, like, oh, that's different.
D
Than Brooke and her best friends, but keep going.
B
I mean, I have best guy friends, but I did Date them previously. That was a long time ago.
D
And the girls from college, you know, that was a gray area, but that's fine.
C
Sure.
B
Whatever.
D
Okay.
B
But you get feelings mixed up. That's easy to do.
D
Sure. But you and Monica, ever since college, it sounds like Joe. Just totally like besties. No mixed feelings in there.
B
Yeah.
E
And like, something else about both of us is that we're both birthday people, you know?
D
You have birthdays? I also have a birthday. Wow, that's awesome.
B
Birthday people who do it up, they get there once a week. Yes. Who do the decorations and the fun and the parties.
D
Gotcha. So is the event that was happening, that was that a birthday event?
E
Yeah. So every year on her birthday, we make plans to talk or, like, grab lunch. I'll bring her balloons. Oh, that's so nice. We always do something on her birthday. But last week I called her and I couldn't reach her, but she called me the next day to say, oh, yeah, I'm sorry, but some of my other friends threw me a surprise party.
D
Oh, that's where we are. That kind of hurts.
E
Yeah. Especially because I was like, what other friends? And she named a couple of her girlfriends that I know. So I was like, how did I not get invited to this?
D
That is weird.
B
I will say, though, maybe on the. The girlfriend's part, the person who hosted it, they just don't think of guys.
E
I. I thought of that too. And I was like, oh, so was this, like, a girls thing? And Monica was like, no, there are guys there.
B
Oh, sorry.
D
Oh, the cool guys at this part don't say that.
B
No, maybe it was the hot guys.
D
Yeah, that won't hurt Joe's feelings.
E
So I actually hit up one of the other girls that hosted it.
B
Okay.
E
And I was like, hey, I just want to know, like, why I wasn't invited. Like, is everything okay? And she was really elusive about it. Like, it was just one word text responses like, oops. And that was it.
B
Oh, one word responses feel so weird. No apology. Yeah.
D
Yeah.
B
Oh, my God. Or we forgot. I'm so sorry.
D
Why do you think that they would say that to you?
E
So I have one theory and I don't like it.
B
Oh, sorry.
D
That's kind of funny. I hate this theory I made up in my brain.
B
Okay, what's the.
E
Monica has an ex boyfriend named Damien.
B
Okay.
E
And they've been on again, off again. And I don't think he's good for her. I really don't like him. He's been unfaithful to her before. So I can totally imagine Monica being like, I'm back with Damien. Damien should be here. But if Damien's there, Joe should not be there.
B
That's why you sometimes just got to keep your mouth shut when it comes to bad relationships your friends are in.
E
You know, I can't do that, though, because Damien cheated on Monica. Like, that's an unforgivable thing.
D
Messy your morals, man. Sounds like Monica likes to be cheated on a little bit sometimes. Yeah, that's kind of funny. It's a fun game.
B
Nobody likes it, Jeff. It's just the cycle that you find yourself in.
D
They don't like the cheating part, but they like the drama of, like, oh, I kind of like being tossed back and forth.
B
I don't think that's it either. Yeah, okay.
D
I mean, listen, Joe has theories that he doesn't like. I have theories that I came up with that I also don't like. I'm not saying that I support it. I think it's horrible. I think Damien's the worst guy in the world. Joe, I'm with you. But Monica might love him, and that's the problem.
B
What are you wanting to do? Do you want to talk. To talk to Monica? Is that what you want to do with this?
E
Yeah. I haven't brought it up with her yet, but, I mean, if that's what's happening, I have to know because it was just so weird. It's the only thing reason I can think of for not being invited to the surprise party. Like, there's no way that anybody that all of them just forgot.
B
Yeah, and they would have said that in the text. They wouldn't have said, oopsies.
E
Yeah, I hate that I, of all people, am the one being sort of left out in the dark about this. And I just. I just. I just have to know.
D
Okay, okay, that's fair. I mean, as her best friend, you deserve some sort of explanation for not being invited to her birthday party. Well, you don't want to celebrate every year with her.
B
You don't want to ruin a beautiful friendship over this. You know, you guys have to talk it out. Sometimes the hard stuff is harder thinking about it than actually having the conversation.
D
Right, and sounds like you're looking for advice for how to draw the truth out of Monica for the real reason. Is it because the ex boyfriend there, or is there some other explanation for it? We'll try and help you get that from her when we come back and give you our advice before your awkward Tuesday phone call right after this.
E
Thanks, guys.
D
Hold on.
E
It's awkward.
B
It's Tuesday.
E
It's awkward.
A
Tuesday.
D
Phone call. Why would your best friend not invite you to their birthday party?
B
It was the saddest birthday song ever. Jeff.
D
It was the saddest birthday for Joe because Joe's wondering about his longtime bestie from back in their college days. Monica. They've celebrated each other's birthdays together for years.
B
Dude, they talk every day. Almost.
D
Yeah, so it was extremely odd when Joe couldn't reach her at all on her special day, only to find out later there was a surprise party where he was one of the only friends not invited, and no one will give.
B
Him a reason why. Yeah, they just say, oh, oopsie, not even sorry.
D
The one explanation that makes any sense, at least in Joe's mind, is Monica's rotten cheating ex boyfriend could have been there. And since Joe's been outspoken about not liking the dude, it's possible Monica's friends decided not to invite Joe on purpose.
B
Yeah, to eliminate the up. Exactly.
D
Is that the actual truth or just some wild conspiracy theory Joe spun up in his own sick, twisted mind? Oh, Joe, are you sick and twisted?
E
No. No, I'm not.
C
All right?
D
That's why he wants to know the truth. Yeah, and he needs Brooke's advice on how to get Monica to come out with it. Brooke, what do you have for him?
B
Well, I mean, if it is that she's back together with the cheating ex, she's obviously embarrassed. She knows that it's not the best thing to do, and she doesn't want to hear it from you. Okay? So what you need to do to get her to open up is say, hey, listen, I've. No, I said some things about him. I was upset by his actions. I'm sure you see something I don't. I'm your best friend. I'll support you no matter what.
D
Oh, say that you love her ex boyfriend. You supported a lot of friends bad. Joe.
B
That's what you got to do.
D
All right, Joe, do you have her cheating exes back?
E
If I. I have Monica's back more than Damian's, I'd say that's what Brooke's.
D
Saying is you have to say some nice things about the ex.
B
Yeah. And you gotta be open to it. It's not your choice. It's hers.
D
So think about that. Jose, what's your advice? Well, I was thinking you should say this because we're best friends. We should play a game called secret for secret.
B
Oh, right.
D
Hold on. Let him cook. What do you think, Jose?
B
Is this what boys best Friends do each other.
D
Let's talk secrets. I'm gonna tell you don't know. And then you tell me a secret about the party that I didn't go to. Oh, a little secret swap.
B
Not why I wasn't invited. Could just be anything.
E
It might be a little antagonistic but I might be able to do that in a way that's a little more teasing.
D
Laugh is what I wanted you to do. Even if it's a last resort, you still have it in your back pocket. So, yeah, you're probably regretting calling into the show at this point. I'm just going to dial. That's my advice. Yeah, let's just dial Monica's number. We'll see if she picks up. And we'll let you make your awkward, awkward Tuesday phone call and hopefully get an answer for why you weren't invited to her party. But here we go.
C
Hello?
E
Hey, Monica. How you doing?
C
Hey.
B
What.
C
What number are you? I didn't see your name pop up.
E
Oh, yeah, yeah. I'm just calling from work. I'm calling from a different phone.
C
Nice. What's up, dude?
E
Sorry, nothing. I just had a second here at work. Thought I'd give you a call. And would you want to grab lunch sometime later this week? I know we didn't get to connect last week. I feel like I owe you one.
C
Yes. Yeah, for sure. I've been meaning to call you. I'm so sorry. I've been thinking about you and I feel so bad. We definitely need to get some lunch.
B
For sure.
E
Oh, cool. Okay. Thanks. Yeah, that really means a lot. You've been thinking about me.
C
You're welcome. You're welcome. What are you talking about? Yeah, I love you. I want to get lunch with you.
E
Okay. Sweet. Yeah, we got a lot to catch up on. I want to know how your birthday went. You know?
C
Well, I already told you about that. So we can move on past that. I want to hear about you.
E
Oh, well, you know, I don't really know all that much. You know, I don't know, maybe we could do. Do a little something called secret for secret. Okay, what is this, like, where I'll tell secret about me and then you tell me a secret about you? Like maybe specifically, like, why I wasn't invited to the party. The birthday party last week.
D
Oh, God.
C
I mean, I don't really know if it's. Why do we need to talk about that? Are you that bored? We have to do. Let's do another secret.
E
Well, no, this. This. We. We share everything, you know? We know Everything about each other. And. And I'm just like. I thought it was really weird that I wasn't there. And, like, I just. Reason is just what I wanted to know.
C
Hey, you know, I have been feeling pretty guilty, so maybe it's good if we talk about this.
E
Listen, you know that you're my best friend. So whatever it is that's going on here, I want you to know that I'm going to support you no matter what. Okay.
C
Okay. Well, so I haven't been 100% truthful with you about that night, that day. Okay. I never had a surprise party. That did not happen. I actually told Gina to cover for me with you.
E
What?
C
The real reason why we didn't talk is that I. God, I. I was in jail.
D
Awkward.
B
Wait, what?
D
I did not see that.
B
I don't know that we should let her talk anymore.
C
I'm sorry, Joe.
B
What.
E
What are you.
C
What is going on? Who is dad on the phone?
D
Hey, Monica, this is a radio show called Brooke and Jeffrey in the Morning.
B
Yo.
D
We've been helping out Joe with this phone call. It's called the awkward Tuesday phone call.
B
And I don't know, maybe we're sorry for hearing that part. Yeah, if you didn't even want him to know.
D
Yeah.
C
Yeah. Okay. Now I'm telling everyone on the radio this.
E
Okay, Monica, I had no idea.
B
I mean, everybody makes mistakes. It's okay, Monica. I think.
D
Well, it depends. Monica, what did you do?
B
She's out now, so.
D
That's a good point.
C
If she's out, I mean, I'm not going to say a lot about it now.
B
Yeah. Why wouldn't you tell your best friend, though? Like, that would be the first person I'd want to call and tell.
C
Oh. I mean, it was. It's just embarrassing. I got in trouble at the library.
E
The library? What could possibly land you in jail for something that you did at the libraries?
C
Indecent exposure.
B
Okay, you got naked at the library?
D
I didn't know library does those. That's why these romance novels are getting hand guys. I'm trying to tell you. Oh, my God. Wait, this happened on your birthday?
C
Yeah.
E
I can't believe I reached out to the radio to find out what happens with you here. And this is what. This is what ended up happening. I mean, like, is this. Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.
B
He's processing. Joe is processing.
D
He's kind of spiraling a little bit.
E
Monica, tell me the truth here. Did Damien have anything to do with this?
C
No comment.
B
Cheating ex was important.
C
Come on, Joe, you need to stop because you said you support me no matter what. You said that.
E
Oh, that's before I knew that. Oh, God. Okay, okay, Joe, look at the bright side.
D
It's not like you missed a surprise party that never happened.
E
Yeah, there's no friends.
D
She was just in prison or jail.
C
There wasn't. You didn't miss a party. I just couldn't talk to you. I was held overnight there, and I just. We just need to have lunch, dude. We just need to, like, hang out and.
B
Listen, Joe, it's not the jail part that she's embarrassed about. I think it's the hooking up with the ex part that she knows you don't approve of.
C
Yeah, actually, it's a little both. I'm embarrassed of both things.
B
That could be true, too.
D
But, Joe, why don't you tell Monica all those nice things that you were saying to us about her ex boyfriend right before we made this call?
E
I don't recall any of them being nice.
B
I mean, I think, Joe, you're gonna have to support her in all of her decisions, even the ones that are questionable.
D
Yeah, you know the one with no pants on?
B
You don't know that? Could have been top. Could have been.
D
Sure.
B
Yeah.
C
Listen, I have a copy of the police report I will show you, but I'm not showing you guys on the radio.
D
That's okay. Police reports are public knowledge, so we'll be able to look that up for ourselves.
B
Oh, girl.
E
Okay, well, I guess we're definitely gonna have lunch now. I have a lot to think about this. Okay.
D
Okay. But the good news is, Joe, you came here to figure out the real reason. Get Monica to open up about the truth about why you couldn't reach her. And now you know, hey, mission accomplished.
B
And then it's gonna be such a fun story at lunch.
C
I probably shouldn't drink during lunch. I'm just letting you know now.
D
Yeah, one trip to jail this month is probably probably enough.
B
She's already making better choices, Joe.
E
Yeah, there we go. There we go. Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning.
A
What do you do when the headlines don't explain what's happening inside of you? I'm Ben Higgins, and if you can hear me is where culture meets the soul. A place for real conversation. Each episode, I sit down with people from all walks of life. Celebrities, thinkers, and everyday folks. And we go deeper than the polished story. We talk about what drives us, what shapes us, and what gives us hope. We get honest about the big stuff. Identity. When you don't recognize yourself anymore. Loss. That changes you purpose when success isn't enough. Peace when your mind won't slow down. Faith when it's complicated. Some guests have answers. Most are still figuring it out. If you've ever felt like there has to be more to the story, this show is for you. Listen to if you can hear me on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
B
In the middle of the night, Saskia awoke in a haze. Her husband Mike was on his laptop. What was on his screen would change Saskia's life forever. I said, I need you to tell me exactly what you're doing. And immediately, the mask came off. You're supposed to be safe.
C
That's your home. That's your husband.
B
To keep this secret for so many years. He's like a seasoned pro. This is a story about the end of a marriage, but it's also the story of of one woman who was done living in the dark. You're a dangerous person who preys on.
E
Vulnerable and trusting people.
B
You're a predator.
C
Michael Levengood.
B
Listen to Betrayal, Season 5 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
D
It's funny, the difference between guys and girls where Monica was ashamed and didn't want to say anything about this to her best friend, but, you know, her ex, Damian, probably called all his bros immediately, was like, oh, dude, you won't believe what I just got arrested for hooking up with my ex in the library. Bro, high five.
B
Hey, let's remember, she did tell her girlfriends. She just didn't tell the one friend that didn't approve of the ex, which I think proves.
D
And, Brooke, I'm sure you'll agree with me on this, that men are more honest overall than women.
B
Oh, I thought it was gonna prove that libraries are actually sexy places.
D
Oh, see, now we know why Brooke is reading all the time. You're a naughty girl. But you can email the show if you have an awkward situation you're dealing with. We could help you out with it. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast if you're listening right now. Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning.
Episode: Awkward Tuesday – Theories We Don't Like
Date: February 10, 2026
Host: iHeartPodcasts
In this "Awkward Tuesday" segment of the Brooke and Jeffrey Second Date Update, the hosts help listener Joe confront his long-time best friend Monica about why he was excluded from her recent birthday celebration. What starts as a search for a missing party invite turns into an unexpectedly wild revelation involving secrets, friendship boundaries, and a surprise trip to jail—all laced with signature humor, banter, and cringe-worthy honesty.
On hurt feelings:
On supporting friends’ questionable decisions:
Awkward phone revelations:
Classic show banter:
The episode maintains Brooke and Jeffrey’s hallmark mix of lighthearted teasing, empathetic advice, and unfiltered awkwardness. Joe’s earnest confusion meets Monica’s bashful honesty, with the hosts providing comic relief throughout—even as the story takes a wild turn no one predicted.
Listeners expecting a simple explanation for Joe's party snub are instead treated to a twisty tale that spotlights the complexities of adult friendships, the risks of meddling in romantic drama, and the importance of empathy—even when your best friend lands (briefly) behind bars for a library tryst. It's a perfect example of why "Awkward Tuesday" is never just about the phone call, but the wild, entertaining journey to the truth.
Brooke & Jeffrey invite listeners to share their own awkward situations at the close, promising more cringe-worthy, hilarious content with every episode.