Brooke and Jeffrey: Second Date Update
Episode: "Bottom of the Bread Bowl"
Date: November 17, 2025
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts
Episode Overview
This episode centers around Rick, a listener seeking help after being ghosted by Brenda following their first official date. The hosts (Brooke, Jeffrey, Alexis, and Jose) unravel the real reason behind Brenda's sudden cold shoulder, which involves an odd phone hack and questions about honesty in modern dating. True to the podcast’s spirit, the investigation is full of playful banter and awkward humor, while ultimately revealing deeper issues of trust and authenticity in relationships.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. How Rick and Brenda Met
- Rick joined a "Run Club" (at a friend's suggestion) to meet new people.
- He and Brenda clicked as they bonded over being the slower, less-serious participants at the back of the pack.
- They struck up a friendship for about two months before Rick asked Brenda out on an official date.
- “You're a slow runner and a slow mover romantically. That's your style.” — Jeffrey (06:20)
- Rick aimed for a “middle of the road” Italian restaurant—not too fancy, not too casual.
2. The Awkward Bread Bowl Incident
- During their date, Rick found a half-ripped, possibly “breakup” note under the bread bowl, which amused him but seemed to dampen Brenda’s mood.
- “Underneath it there was, like, a half ripped... breakup note.” — Rick (07:52)
- After Rick returned from the bathroom, Brenda was distant and abruptly ended the evening.
3. Brenda’s Sudden Disappearance
- Brenda not only ghosted Rick post-date but also stopped attending Run Club, actively avoiding Rick.
- “Yeah, I haven’t been there.” — Brenda (13:26)
- “I am avoiding him, yes.” — Brenda (13:42)
4. The Real Reason: Brenda’s Trust Hack
- Brenda reveals she used a dating hack suggested by friends: call the guy’s phone while he’s away (using her own number) to see how he’s saved her in his contacts.
- “My friends… taught me this trick… when he went to the bathroom, he left his phone… What you do is you call the guy’s phone when he goes away and you see what name pops up.” — Brenda (14:21-14:36)
- When Brenda did this, her number showed up as “Matthew” in Rick’s phone, making her suspect he was hiding her identity—possibly because he was cheating.
- “The name that popped up on the screen for my number said Matthew.” — Brenda (14:47)
5. Confrontation and Rick’s Explanation
- On air, Rick admits he gives women’s numbers male names in his phone “for their protection.”
- “Not only do I have a Matthew, but I have a John, I have a Mark…” — Rick (17:12)
- “If I’m going on three dates in one week… I want a guy's name to pop up if my phone rings so none of them feel bad.” — Rick (17:24)
- Hosts and Brenda find this odd and dishonest. Rick claims it’s to avoid hurting anyone's feelings, not because he is in a committed relationship, though admits some women might consider themselves his girlfriend.
- “A couple of them might [think they’re my girlfriend]…” — Rick (18:31)
- “No, I’ve never used the term girlfriend in any of my dating experience.” — Rick (18:46)
- Brenda refuses a second date, citing lack of trust.
6. Hosts’ Reactions & Debrief
- Hosts are skeptical of Rick’s logic and discuss the “dishonesty” in preemptively hiding names.
- “I don't like a guy that's this calculated before he does anything wrong.” — Brooke (22:31)
- “He’s spinning it like it’s for our protection…” — Brenda (17:49)
- “Hopefully we did him a favor by exposing this early on in his questionable dating strategy.” — Jeffrey (22:53)
- The segment ends with lighthearted jokes about Rick’s “apostle” roster and his dating strategy backfiring.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Brenda’s Phone Hack Revelation (14:36 - 14:58):
- “When he went to the bathroom, I called his phone. The name that popped up for my number said Matthew… What conclusion would you guys come up with if you saw that?”
- Rick’s Dating Logic (17:12 - 17:24):
- “Not only do I have a Matthew, but I have a John, I have a Mark… If I’m going on three dates in one week… I want a guy's name to pop up if my phone rings so none of them feel bad.”
- Brenda’s Final Word (19:21 - 19:24):
- “No, I just don’t trust him. I don’t trust him. You guys like... yeah.”
- Host Banter: “All the apostles” (17:15):
- “I've got a lot of names. You got all the apostles. You're just going right down the New Testament with names.” — Jeffrey
Important Segment Timestamps
- Opening & Setup: 02:54 – 04:32
- Rick explains meeting Brenda and early connection: 04:32 – 06:36
- Bread bowl breakup note incident: 07:25 – 08:50
- Rick describes the date’s abrupt ending: 08:50 – 09:41
- Hosts discuss possible reasons for Brenda’s behavior: 09:41 – 11:19
- Calling Brenda & her side of the story: 12:25 – 16:01
- Rick confronted about the ‘Matthew’ hack & his reasoning: 16:01 – 17:49
- Dating logic and Brenda refuses second date: 17:49 – 19:24
- Hosts react & episode wrap: 22:00 – 23:02
Tone & Style
The episode maintains the show’s signature lighthearted, cheeky tone, with the hosts alternating between empathetic support, sarcastic quips, and playful skepticism. Rick’s story is met with a mix of friendly advice and gentle teasing, while Brenda’s perspective draws earnest concern and validation.
Summary for New Listeners
In this episode of "Second Date Update," Rick seeks answers after Brenda disappears following a promising first date. Using a modern “trust hack,” Brenda discovers Rick lists her as “Matthew” in his phone and concludes he’s being dishonest about his dating life. Rick admits he uses male names for his dates to avoid awkwardness when dating multiple people, but this backfires, confirming Brenda’s suspicions and costing him another chance. The hosts use Rick’s predicament to discuss dating transparency and poke fun at his odd logic, making for an entertaining, revealing, and relatable slice of modern romance gone wrong.