A (2:06)

In a couple minutes, we're going to do a brand new closure call here, which, if you haven't heard, is a segment where we help a listener send four questions to a previous friend or lover or someone they had a falling out with to get some answers so that they can finally move forward with their life.

B (2:23)

It's a really amazing segment.

D (2:24)

Yeah.

A (2:25)

At Least that's the hope that we're

B (2:26)

going to help them.

A (2:27)

But this may be the first time in the show's history the listener doesn't even want to hear all of the. After we read the first two, it was that shocking and surprising and embarrassing. All those emotions, plus a few more tossed in for the mix. You're gonna hear why when we do a brand new closure call right after this. It's Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning. And sometimes in order to move forward in life, first you have to look backwards.

B (2:58)

That's true, Jeff.

A (2:59)

Kinda like a moonwalk in a way.

B (3:01)

Looking back, but moving forward in a really cool manner.

A (3:06)

That's kind of the idea of this segment called Closure Calls, where if you haven't heard it before, we try to help a listener get some answers and hopefully peace of mind on an issue from their past that's been haunting them.

B (3:16)

God, some of these get really deep too, you know?

C (3:20)

Yeah.

A (3:20)

And recently one of our listeners asked for our assistance getting some closure. Her name is Jody.

B (3:25)

That's keep wanting you to do the.

A (3:28)

Jody wants to go full Michael Jackson today. So, Jody, welcome to the show.

E (3:33)

Hey, thanks for having me. Yeah.

B (3:36)

Jody, we're all so interested in what brought you here.

A (3:38)

Yeah. What's going on in your life that made you reach out to us?

E (3:41)

Okay. It's so strange. So my husband and I used to live in this amazing neighborhood. Absolutely loved it.

B (3:50)

Oh, that's cool.

E (3:51)

Yes, it was everything. And our next door neighbors, the Coopers, they were like our best friends. Our family families. We did everything together. We had birthdays, barbecues, you know, we watched each other's past when we went on vacation, everything.

A (4:04)

Brooke, how jealous are you of those neighbors?

B (4:07)

No, I love my neighbors. I have the best neighbors.

A (4:11)

Honestly, you literally, like, have disputes with them all the time.

B (4:14)

No, no.

A (4:15)

Oh, you're trying to, like, buy their property out from them.

B (4:18)

You're talking about the guy with the abandoned cars right next to me. Yeah, he's great too. I just brought him some homemade granola.

D (4:24)

She doesn't consider him a neighbor at first. She's like, oh, yeah, that's right.

B (4:27)

A lot of neighbors, dude.

E (4:29)

I.

B (4:30)

That guy too. He's got two kids that live about an hour. You want to know more about him? No, no, I love my neighbors.

A (4:35)

Let's focus more on Jody and her neighbors, the Coopers. It's nice to have a family next door to you that you actually like.

E (4:41)

Yeah, yeah. But here's where the twist comes. And it's unfortunate. We basically. Our house burnt down oh, my gosh. Yeah. We lost absolutely everything. It was horrible.

A (4:53)

I'm so sorry.

D (4:55)

Wait, not what I saw.

B (4:57)

Was it the Coopers that did it? No.

E (4:59)

No, no, no.

D (5:00)

So now we're asking them why?

E (5:05)

No, they were, like. They were really supportive, actually. They helped us get through all of it. They helped us put our life back together. But, yeah, we couldn't afford to, like, stay and rebuild the house, so we were forced to move, which we really did not want to because, again, just loved where we lived.

D (5:20)

You built all those relationships for so

B (5:22)

long, dude, and all the memories and, you know, that's hard. That must be really hard.

E (5:26)

Yeah, it was. Aw. Found a house, like, 45 minutes away from there, and, you know, we just. We had to do what we had to do, and we stayed in touch with them for a couple of months.

B (5:37)

Yeah. Yeah.

E (5:38)

And then one day, they just stopped responding. Like, they wouldn't answer any of my phone calls. They stopped inviting us.

B (5:45)

Wait, did their house burn down, too?

E (5:48)

No.

B (5:51)

No. That's weird.

A (5:52)

Sorry.

D (5:52)

Who's setting all the fires?

A (5:54)

Sorry, what were you saying? They. They stopped answering you?

E (5:57)

Yeah, they stopped answering. Like, you know, I tried multiple times. No explanation at all. You know, just completely cut off communication.

B (6:03)

And really, for you and your husband, like, they have zero contact.

E (6:08)

Yeah. Zero. It's so strange.

A (6:10)

That is really weird. What was going through your mind when that started happening?

E (6:14)

I. We did not know. We went over this so many times, and, like, I understand. Like, we don't live next door to them anymore, but, I mean, why. Why completely cut us out, you know?

B (6:25)

Like, and they're still living there in that same neighborhood and everything.

E (6:29)

Okay. So I was curious. I was like, well, maybe they moved, you know, like, maybe something happened to them.

A (6:35)

Yeah.

E (6:35)

So I think a year and a half after, I decided to drive back, you know, to see if they even still live there. And I didn't ring the doorbell or anything, but their car was in the driveway.

A (6:46)

Whoa. Okay. So they're still around in the same house, at least, but for some reason, totally cut all communication with your family.

E (6:55)

Yes. It's so strange. And it's been over four years, and the thing is, is that I still think about it. Like, I just wish we could get some of that old friendship back, you know?

B (7:04)

Yeah.

E (7:05)

It would be really great to reconnect our children again and all that, but it's just something that, like, lingers in my mind.

B (7:11)

Oh, my God. Well, and, like, even for me, like, I grew up in the same house my whole life, and our neighbors growing up Are like second family.

D (7:18)

Yeah.

A (7:18)

I mean, honestly, you guys marry each other, too. It's kind of weird, but is there any, like, drama between your families in

B (7:27)

that time or something?

A (7:28)

Fight or maybe an affair that you had with someone in that house?

D (7:31)

Casually drop that one.

B (7:33)

I didn't think about something like that.

E (7:35)

No. Absolutely no.

C (7:36)

Okay.

A (7:37)

At least not that you're gonna admit to.

B (7:38)

Okay. Do you think your kid may have done something, like, you know, because sometimes, like, if kids fight or it can cause parents to fight.

D (7:47)

Yeah. Or, like, the kid will be like, well, my mom said this, and it's like playing telephone, they say.

E (7:52)

I mean, sure, that's a possibility. It's one of those things where, like, we have as a family all sat down multiple times at dinner and talked about this. Like, hey, does anyone have any idea of why this could be happening? And everyone's like, no.

B (8:05)

Yeah. Why do the Coopers hate you?

D (8:07)

I would say maybe they. And this is gonna come out wrong. So I apologize. Maybe they think they're better than you. Like, oh, we don't talk to them. Cause they moved out of the neighborhood. But then I go, you've known them for so long, you would know if they were shallow.

B (8:19)

Like, see, I was thinking the opposite, where maybe they're jealous. Maybe your new situation is something they always wanted.

D (8:26)

Probably not about status. It's. I mean, they just moved. I know.

A (8:28)

Brooke won't talk to us because of where we live. Sometimes we're not allowed over on her fancy island. Yeah, but, Jody, you know how this works. You've already worked with our producer to come up with the four questions, and we've told you the Coopers have responded.

B (8:40)

Oh, my God.

A (8:42)

Are you nervous about hearing from them after. How long has it been now?

E (8:47)

It's been over four years.

A (8:49)

Wow. Are you nervous?

E (8:51)

Yeah. I'm curious. More than anything, it seems like this

B (8:55)

could be something resolved. I mean, maybe if they explain, then you two can come to some understanding and rebuild this friendship.

D (9:03)

I agree with Brooke. I do think if it was one of the kids, especially, it's like, no, no, no. This is a misunderstanding.

A (9:08)

Yeah. Just get rid of that kid and then everything. So we're gonna do it. We'll read the answers from your neighbors that ghosted your family five years ago when we do your closure call right after this. Just joining us, we're in the middle of a closure call, and it's an interesting one because I don't know if we've ever done anything quite like this before with two sets of neighbors whose families were Very close. And our listener Jody, who's on the phone with us, is the mother of one family. Her house sadly burned down years ago, so they had to move away 45 minutes from where they originally lived. Shortly after, they lost all contact with this other family who used to basically be their best friends.

B (9:48)

And it's not like you moved even to a different state. You're like 45 minutes away. Not that. Not that dramatic.

D (9:54)

So I don't know, I'd say when my parents only live 45 minutes away, I never saw that.

B (9:58)

Yeah, because I knew they were only 45 minutes away.

A (10:00)

But it's been very confusing for Jody because she doesn't know why they cut off all contact and wants some closure. Hence the term closure call. Oh, man, you're creative guys.

B (10:12)

You really are built for this. Jody.

A (10:13)

We're the best in the biz. And Jody, I know you want to get to the answers. We're going to get those in just a second. Brooke, do you have any final thoughts?

B (10:20)

No, I think it's just interesting. You know, you said these people were really there for you after your house fire. So I mean, I could see them turning their back on you if you needed help, but that. That's not even the case here. You know, they did that for you, it sounds like. Right?

E (10:34)

Yeah, they were great.

B (10:37)

So strange.

A (10:38)

Well, if your new house burns down, you can always live in the basement of Brooks Current.

B (10:42)

Oh, sure. My husband works down there, so just don't mind him.

D (10:46)

Ok.

A (10:47)

Always have a backup here. All right, so let's get to the first question.

D (10:50)

Okay.

A (10:50)

We wrote. It's been almost five years since we spoke to each other.

B (10:55)

That's so long.

A (10:56)

And I've tried to text you and send you letters and birthday invites, but you never responded. Our friendship was so important to me. It makes me so sad that we don't speak anymore.

B (11:07)

Yeah.

A (11:07)

Do you even still live at the same house?

B (11:10)

Wait, don't we know that? Cuz you did the secret drive by.

E (11:14)

I mean, that was three years ago though, so. I mean, she could have moved.

B (11:17)

Yeah, that's true.

A (11:19)

So the Coopers responded and they said, hi, Jody, nice to hear from you. Yes, we're still at the same address. Kids are getting bigger. Hope you are well.

E (11:30)

Oh, wow. Okay.

D (11:32)

I take that as shade.

B (11:33)

Yeah, I know.

A (11:34)

Feel good.

B (11:35)

It did feel like when you get the text k that, you know, it felt the same.

D (11:39)

I'm just being acknowledged, but I'm not really.

C (11:41)

How do you feel?

A (11:42)

How do you feel about that answer, Jody?

E (11:44)

Exactly. Well, I mean, it doesn't really say much. I was saying I felt so sad that we weren't in touch anymore. And they gave me, like, a one sentence, nothing response, you know?

A (11:54)

Yeah. It's like they're trying to blow you off.

B (11:56)

I like how you were saying you were so sad in the question, and she's like, glad you're well.

A (11:59)

Yeah. So, yeah, not much of a response on that first one, but good thing we asked more questions to make them

B (12:06)

open up more, because they did respond to the rest of the questions.

E (12:08)

Yeah.

A (12:08)

And this isn't an auto reply. They're all different. Just so you know.

D (12:11)

I thought, it's so funny. Just like she said, I am out of the office right now.

B (12:17)

Do we know who's actually writing us? Is it the other mother from the other family?

A (12:20)

I. I don't know. It doesn't say on.

B (12:22)

Okay.

A (12:22)

All right, let's keep going to question two. Hopefully we'll get a little bit more clarification. We said after being so close for so long, it's always been confusing to me why you stopped responding to us. I've spent nights trying to figure this out. I'm not sure if something happened or what changed. Is there a reason you cut us out?

D (12:42)

This is only the second question that's like, the question in my head.

E (12:46)

I'm so interested to see how they're gonna respond.

A (12:49)

You know, this is the crux of what we're trying to get to here.

B (12:53)

And you and our producer wrote that question really well. I'm serious. Because he helps her with all of this. I think it's really well written.

A (13:00)

Yeah.

B (13:01)

I mean, I don't know why you laughed serious.

D (13:04)

Because our producers are funny guys. So I thought you were making a joke.

B (13:06)

No.

A (13:07)

So let's get to the answer that they wrote back for the reason that they cut you out. They wrote. Well, it's pretty simple, Jody. Oh, we donated $2,000 to your family's GoFundMe with the expectation it would go towards building your life back, not building your chest size, apparently. One of the neighbors said you got a breast enhancement after your house burned down. Plus your family took a trip to the Bahamas. So I think you could understand why we're not speaking dot, dot, dot.

D (13:39)

That looks so bad.

A (13:41)

Oh, who.

E (13:43)

Okay, look, this is what I can say about that. I was going through a lot at the time.

A (13:53)

Yeah.

E (13:54)

And doing that made me feel better about myself. And it did help me build my life back. It gave me confidence.

B (14:00)

You use the GoFundMe money to do a breast. You can do monthly payments. Maybe she didn't do it all at once.

E (14:07)

I mean, Jody, I. I don't. I don't really want to, like, get into this really, like.

B (14:15)

But that's the whole. That's the whole reason she's not talking to you. Trip to the Bahamas. Are we gonna ignore that?

D (14:20)

Yeah, that's probably more expensive.

B (14:22)

Well, you got to show off your new boobs, so. That's true. And if it's cold out, the Coopers

A (14:26)

are accusing you of taking the money that they gave you to, like, rebuild your new life and your new house. For personal things.

B (14:33)

Well, and not just them, I bet. I mean, if it's a GoFundMe, probably other people's money, too.

E (14:38)

We used a majority of the GoFundMe to get house.

D (14:41)

Well, yeah.

B (14:43)

Wouldn't you use the insurance money to get a new house?

E (14:46)

That went into it. It was very expensive getting a new. I mean, we literally lost every single thing. Yeah, it's like, we did deserve a trip to, like. My kids were so devastated.

A (14:56)

Man, if it makes you smile, it makes you happy. I guess it's worth building stuff.

B (15:00)

Ask after this, because we had no idea.

A (15:03)

We are running out of time. We need to move on to question three.

E (15:06)

You know, I honestly don't think we need to. I think, like, I think it's good.

D (15:11)

In my head, I thought the same. Je. I was like, I don't know if we should be on the phone.

A (15:14)

Sorry. But this is how it works. We go through all four. So I'm just going to go to the third question. Let's finish the segment for everybody listening that tuned in, it says question three. I'm not sure if you heard, but I left my 9 to 5 job, and I'm now working with a charity to help raise money to support teachers around the country. You've always been so generous. I'm hoping you'd consider contributing.

B (15:36)

Wait, what question? Are you joking?

A (15:41)

I just. Jody.

E (15:43)

Yeah, but that is my job now. And I didn't know that she was gonna say what she just said.

A (15:47)

The worst timing ever.

B (15:49)

Oh, my God, girl. Well, you used our show to fundraise.

E (15:53)

No, I was just trying to give them an update on my life and what I was doing.

A (15:58)

Okay. I mean, working with charity is a really good, noble cause. If it actually does go to the

B (16:04)

charity, maybe it's sending teachers to the Bahamas,

D (16:09)

getting them surgery.

A (16:10)

Well, let's hear what the Coopers wrote back to that. Ask for money for your charity, they said, as stated before. I hope you're well. Yeah, but, no, we will not be contributing to your, quote, charity, or any future endeavors.

D (16:25)

Now we see why the first. I hope you're well. Felt bad.

A (16:28)

And now I understand why you didn't want us to read question three.

B (16:30)

They put charity in quotes.

E (16:34)

Are we done yet?

A (16:35)

We're almost done. We have to do the fourth and final question that you sent to them. We do have to. We wrote it's been way too long, and we miss you guys so much. We'd love to get together sometime and reconnect the families.

B (16:47)

This all feels so awkward after we know what we know.

D (16:50)

I'll meet you in the Caribbean.

A (16:52)

We said, do you think you'd be up for it? And the Coopers wrote back as stated multiple times before. I hope you are well.

D (17:01)

This is. Yeah. Being left on red.

B (17:04)

Yikes. All right.

E (17:05)

Thank you. Is that it?

B (17:07)

That's it. Jody.

A (17:08)

Jodi. Feel like you got some closure from that?

E (17:11)

I want to hang up.

B (17:12)

Yeah, that's okay.

D (17:14)

I just. I wouldn't try to hit up the Coopers.

E (17:16)

Yeah.

B (17:17)

I just. Yeah. Make some new friends, probably. Maybe no more GoFundMe.

A (17:22)

I'm sure they'd like to see a Christmas card of you and, like, what all that money went towards, so maybe that would be kind of nice.

E (17:27)

That's not funny, but okay.

B (17:29)

I mean, it's kind of funny.

A (17:30)

I think it's funny. Anyway, hopefully that helped you out.

D (17:32)

Jody.

A (17:33)

That's your closure call.

B (17:34)

Yikes.

A (17:36)

It's Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning.

C (17:37)

Morning.

E (17:38)

Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning.

C (17:41)

2%. That is the number of people who take the stairs when there is also an escalator available. I'm Michael Easter, and on my podcast, 2%, I break down the science of mental toughness, fitness, and building resilience in our strange, modern world. I'll be speaking with writers, researchers, and other health and fitness experts and more to look past the impractical and way too complex pseudoscience that dominates the wellness industry.

B (18:10)

We really believe that seed oils were inherently inflammatory. We got it wrong. Many of the problems that we are freaked out about in the world are

A (18:18)

the result of stress.

C (18:20)

Put yourself through some hardships and you will come out on the other side a happier, more fulfilled, healthier person. Listening to 2%. That's 2% on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

B (18:39)

Well, that definitely did not go the way I think she thought it was going to go. No.

E (18:44)

No chance.

B (18:46)

Yeah. Thank you for being here all the way through our closure call. And we do have a Lot of comments. A lot of reflections on what just happened on our comment board and our. Our YouTube comments. I mean, a lot of people are obviously mad that she used, like, GoFundMe as a scam. Like, for sure. I mean, how many of the GoFundMes do you think are scams? Oh, I've never even thought about it like that. Brooke, stop. You gotta do the homework.

D (19:11)

You do have to do the homework.

B (19:12)

Yeah. And you gotta know the person. Like, if you know the person also really wants a trip to the Bahamas. Yeah. Gotta be aware.

A (19:20)

Yeah.

B (19:20)

Yes. Or if they come back with a tan.

D (19:24)

Wait, did you go to the hospital for surgery?

B (19:26)

Yeah, they do that there. Now bend. Yeah. And so other ones we gotta have. Hashtag Team Cooper. She hung up at the end. I love how Jeff didn't notice. Yeah. Omg. She had to do this call to figure out why they would be mad. Duh. Should have used the extra money to have a housewarming party to thank everyone. Maybe help someone else in need. Maybe ask people what they want done with the extra.

D (19:48)

Yeah, yeah, that's a good one.

B (19:50)

Pass it on. Right. Like it's not good karma to then spend the extra money on something frivolous. Yeah.

D (19:56)

Take that money and send someone else to the Bahamas too.

B (19:58)

Yeah.

D (19:59)

Experience what you did. Yeah.

B (20:01)

Yes. And maybe get a butt lift. I don't know. Whatever you need. Yeah.

D (20:03)

Do it for good.

B (20:05)

All right. Hey, thank you so much again for being here. Please subscribe. It means the world. And we'll be back tomorrow with the second date update. It's Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning. You know what they say. Early bird gets the ultimate vacation home. Book early and save over $120 with Burbo, because early gets you closer to the action, whether it's waves lapping at the shore or snoozing in a hammock that overlooks looks. Well, whatever you want it to. So you can all enjoy the payoff come summer with Verbo's early booking deals. Rise and shine. Average savings, $141. Select homes only.

C (20:43)

2%. That's the number of people who take the stairs when there is also an escalator available. I'm Michael Easter, and On my podcast 2%, I break down the science of mental toughness, fitness, and building resilience in our strange modern world. Put yourself through some hardships and you will come out on the other side a happier, more fulfilled, healthier person. Listen to 2%. That's 2% on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.