Brooke and Jeffrey: Second Date Update Classics
Episode: "Strings of Deceit + Claus for Concern"
iHeartPodcasts | Nov 15, 2025
Overview
This "Second Date Update Classics" episode features two memorable stories of modern dating gone hilariously awry: "Strings of Deceit" and "Claus for Concern." The hosts (Brooke, Jeffrey, Alexis, and frequent producer Doug) track down the real reasons why singles are getting ghosted after seemingly promising first dates. The atmosphere is light, witty, and packed with self-deprecating humor that pokes fun at both dating mishaps and the participants themselves.
Segment 1: Strings of Deceit
(Starts 03:44)
Key Discussion Points & Storyline
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Topic: May can’t reach Doug after a good first date. The crew investigates Doug’s red flags—specifically, a mysterious woman in his profile photo and his claim to be in a band.
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Dating Profile Red Flags:
- Hosts humorously dissect popular dating profile photos (dog hugging = "green flag," fish holding = "red flag," see 03:44–04:16).
- Jeffrey (04:03): “Sometimes one photo can raise the reddest of all red flags...”
- May flags Doug’s profile with a woman in it (possible girlfriend/wife).
- Hosts humorously dissect popular dating profile photos (dog hugging = "green flag," fish holding = "red flag," see 03:44–04:16).
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May’s Initial Contact with Doug:
- May messages Doug, jokingly asking, “Is your girlfriend going to be okay with this?” (06:17).
- Doug responds with humor, saying the woman’s his wife but they’re “just friends”—obviously intended as a joke (06:49).
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The First Date:
- May describes Doug as funny, self-deprecating, and charmingly awkward (08:04–09:13).
- Doug claims he’s in a band; May is intrigued.
- “We even kissed at the end of the night.” – May (09:43).
- Afterwards, Doug becomes oddly hard to reach, though he responds sporadically to texts (09:59–10:18).
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Suspicions and Irony:
- The group notes the irony: Doug complains of being ghosted, yet seems to be (possibly) ghosting May (10:03).
- Is he married, as first feared? Or just awkward?
Call with Doug (12:44)
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Doug’s Reluctance:
- Doug is cagey about May’s invitations to see his band perform, repeatedly dodging attempts to hang out (14:28–15:04).
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The Lie Revealed:
- Doug admits he lied—he’s not in a band, doesn’t play guitar, and panicked on his profile (15:30–15:48).
- “I needed something to sound cool, to make me stand out.” – Doug (15:45).
- He panicked further, taking piano lessons post-date in a misguided attempt to keep up the ruse (17:17–18:06).
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May’s Response:
- May is disappointed but appreciates the apology: “I don’t need any big, fancy career...just someone genuine and funny.” (18:42).
- Despite red flags, she’s willing to give Doug another chance (19:40–20:28).
Notable Quotes & Moments
- [06:49] Doug (via May): “Oh, that’s my wife, but we’re just friends. 😂”
- [15:45] Doug: “I needed something to sound cool, like, and make me stand out.”
- [18:02] Doug: “Immediately after our date, I signed up for piano lessons.”
- [19:40] Doug (his apology): “If you give me a second chance… I’ll just… straight, honest truth, and my goofy, normal self.”
- [20:01] May: “I do not like liars... I really enjoy talking to you, so I will give you a second chance.”
Segment 2: Claus for Concern
(Starts 24:03)
Key Discussion Points & Storyline
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Topic: Ethan had a great date with Aria, bonding over mutual “hates” (like people microwaving fish at work and crowded spots). Mid-walk to his place post-date, Aria suddenly bails, and Ethan is left confused—and now getting ghosted.
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Date Setup:
- The hosts joke about “bonding over hate”; Ethan and Aria connect over shared pet peeves, mostly food-related (25:06–26:09).
- Ethan chooses a quiet restaurant, explicitly avoiding crowds and security cameras (27:08–27:48).
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Ethan’s Quirks:
- He’s obsessed with privacy, often checking out restaurants for cameras (27:20).
- “The whole staff...was probably listening to every word you said” – Alexis jokes about the dead-quiet restaurant (27:03).
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The Sudden Bail:
- Aria prepares to go to Ethan’s place post-dinner but suddenly claims “she had to get up for work,” leaving Ethan in the lurch (29:17–29:33).
- “It’s been eight or nine days since then and it feels like things have shifted.” – Ethan (29:51).
Call with Aria (32:46)
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Aria's Reason for Ghosting:
- She clarifies she did have work, but...
- Ethan demanded she sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) before coming to his place, claiming his dad is “somebody” (35:33).
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Memorable Exchange:
- May (as Aria) [35:39]: “He said, ‘If we do that, you’re going to have to sign an NDA.’”
- Alexis [35:44]: “Wait, what? Oh wait, no, he was joking.”
- Ethan claims “All the women that come back to my place have no problem signing the NDA.” (37:06).
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Aria’s Reaction:
- Finds the NDA request bizarre and off-putting, suspects Ethan is embellishing (or outright lying) about having a famous dad and the need for secrecy. (38:38–39:02)
- “Nobody does that. Maybe like a super famous person or a criminal!” – Aria (38:07)
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Mutual Goodbye:
- Before an offer for a second date can be extended, Ethan cuts in: “I think I’m out. She just doesn’t value privacy as much as I do.” (39:17)
- Aria: “Great, that’s it!” (39:30).
Notable Quotes & Moments
- [27:20] Ethan: “I’m also not a fan of cameras.”
- [35:39] Aria: “He said, ‘If we do that, you’re going to have to sign an NDA.’”
- [38:41] Ethan: “You don’t believe me that I’m rich and famous? Come on.”
- [39:02] Jeffrey: “No, it fits the profile: he doesn’t like to be caught on camera, doesn’t want to be seen...”
- [39:17] Ethan: "I think I’m out. She just doesn’t value privacy as much as I do."
Host Banter, Analysis & Final Thoughts
Reflections on Doug and May (22:38, 41:51)
- Hosts are surprisingly rooting for Doug, the self-admitted liar, because his confession and nervousness seem so sincere.
- Jeffrey [22:38]: “That may be the first self-admitting outright liar on our show that our listeners were actually rooting for.”
- Alexis [22:47]: “He was really earnest about the whole thing.”
Reflections on Ethan and Aria
- The NDA twist is one of the stranger turns the show’s seen; the hosts alternate between wanting to know the “famous dad” secret and finding the privacy obsession suspect if not off-putting.
- Alexis [42:10]: “You do it for the plot. That’s right.”
- Jeffrey [42:34]: “I know now we’re never going to know who the NDA guy really is. That...is going to haunt all of us...”
Episode Structure & Timestamps
- 03:44: Show begins, hosts review classic red flags in dating profiles.
- 05:27: May introduces Doug and the mysterious woman in his profile.
- 08:53: The first date recap and kiss.
- 09:59: May can’t reach Doug post-date.
- 12:44: The call with Doug, leading to the “I’m not really in a band” confession.
- 19:40: Doug’s apology and May’s conditional forgiveness; they agree to a second date.
- 24:03: Segment 2 begins – Ethan’s story and his quirks.
- 29:17: Aria suddenly bails on post-date invite.
- 32:46: Call with Aria, NDA demand revealed.
- 35:39: The NDA debate, Ethan’s “famous dad” claim.
- 39:17: Ethan self-eliminates from the second date.
- 41:51: Hosts reflect on both stories and the importance of “doing it for the plot.”
Tone & Style
- Light, irreverent, and fast-paced.
- Regular jokes at the expense of both themselves and the date participants.
- Hosts maintain a teasing but ultimately compassionate vibe.
TL;DR
Strings of Deceit: Doug was ghosting May because he lied about being in a band to impress her; after a wave of awkwardness and honesty, May agrees to a second date—with boundaries set about honesty from now on.
Claus for Concern: Ethan’s obsession with privacy and his demand for an NDA before bringing Aria home (plus hinting cryptically that his “dad is somebody”) weirded Aria out enough to ghost him—until they both mutually agree, on air, that they are not a match.
Notable, Memorable Quote:
"You don't have to be in a band. You just have to be yourself—and maybe don't lie about any musical abilities next time." – Alexis, recapping the theme of both updates.
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