Podcast Summary: Brooke and Jeffrey: Second Date Update – "Corn Dog"

Release Date: January 28, 2026
Episode Type: Second Date Update
Hosts: Brooke, Jeffrey (Jeff), Alexis, Jose
Special Guests: Eric (the dater), Anna (the datee)

Overview

In this episode, the Brooke and Jeffrey team dive into another "Second Date Update," where they help listeners reconnect (or at least find out what went wrong) after a stalled first date. Today’s case centers on Eric, who recently moved to a new city for a job and “hung out” with his new coworker, Anna. After a quirky first outing involving birthday gifts and corn dog toasts, Anna has been giving Eric the cold shoulder at work. The hosts attempt to untangle whether sparks flew, boundaries were crossed, or if Eric’s intentions (and relationship status) were as innocent as he claims.

The episode is packed with humor, short detours into office gift-giving politics, and one of the show's most memorable food-based “romantic gestures.” Ultimately, it delivers a fresh take on how confusion, assumptions, and social media can complicate modern workplace dynamics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Eric’s Big Move and New Office Friendships

• Eric describes his recent relocation for a "job with more people his age" ([02:32]).
• He quickly connects with Anna, a coworker. He buys her a birthday cake—a gesture he insists is platonic—and a dog-themed mug because she loves dogs ([03:39]).
• After Anna thanks him for the mug, he asks her to dinner ("not anything too fancy, just like a diner"), leading to deeper bonding and a playful “corn dog toast” ([04:00]).

2. The Infamous Corn Dog Moment

• During dinner, Eric and Anna "interlocked arms" to eat corn dogs, mimicking a champagne toast. This becomes a recurring comic highlight for the hosts ([04:17], [04:29], [05:39]).
  • Brooke: “Like when you do a big fancy toast with your new bride or whatever, and you interlock arms.” ([04:29])
  • Jeff: “You must have been getting a lot of looks from other people in the restaurant, seeing the corn dog interlock thing…” ([04:40])

3. Aftermath: Anna’s Cold Shoulder

• Eric notes that after the outing, Anna is "super cold" at work. He doesn’t recall any awkward moments and thought they had fun ([04:47], [06:09]).
• The hosts debate whether Eric's behavior crossed a line or sent mixed signals.
  • Brooke wonders if Anna panicked, thinking a friendship turned into a romantic pursuit ([05:28]).

4. Workplace Gossip and Unintentional Drama

• The team probes Eric for any office gossip or rumors—Eric denies any, saying he's "just friendly" ([06:46], [06:54]).
• Hosts joke about the dangers of mixing work and romance, and consider possible misunderstandings on Anna’s part.

5. Confronting Anna

• The hosts call Anna. She’s immediately clear: "I wish I hadn’t gone out with that guy" ([10:41], [10:46]).
• Anna explains her reasons:
  • Eric was “flirting with another coworker” and even “asked her out.”
  • She and other coworkers “did some research” and found that Eric has a girlfriend—confirmed by his social media, specifically a post from “three or four days ago” ([11:01]–[13:10]).
• Anna feels misled and regrets the hangout.

6. Eric’s Defense (or Denial?)

• When confronted, Eric insists:
  • He never claimed not to have a girlfriend—he thought the dinner was about friendship ([13:51]–[14:07]).
  • His girlfriend “is supportive” of him making new friends at work, and “doesn’t need to know” the specifics, such as “their attractiveness level” or “what we did with our food” ([15:07], [15:20]).
  • Defensively, Eric claims Anna “isn’t even my type anyway” ([15:51], [15:54]).

7. The Bikini Shopping Proposal

• In an attempt to “prove” his intentions were platonic, Eric proposes bikini shopping with Anna ([16:51]):
  • Eric: “Maybe we can go bikini shopping sometime. Right? My treat.” ([16:56])
  • Which the hosts and Anna immediately find creepy and inappropriate, sparking uproarious laughter and disbelief.

8. Closing Remarks & Takeaways

• Anna firmly declines a second “hangout,” keeping things strictly professional ([17:48]).
• The hosts roast Eric for his blunders and warn him about setting off gossip in his new workplace.
• Ongoing jokes about friendship, workplace romance, and bikini shopping leave the episode on a high, comedic note.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Eric (the dater): “We ordered corn dogs, and we interlocked our arms... Like when you would drink champagne to eat them. That was kind of funny.” ([04:19])
• Jeff: “You must have been getting a lot of looks from other people in the restaurant, seeing the corn dog interlock thing...” ([04:40])
• Anna: “I wish I hadn’t gone out with that guy.” ([10:46])
• Anna: “We did some research... we found out he has an actual girlfriend.” ([12:01])
• Eric: “I never said I didn’t have a girlfriend... it was dinner so that you and I could become better friends.” ([13:57], [14:03])
• Eric, trying (and failing) to be casual: “Maybe we can go bikini shopping sometime. Right? My treat.” ([16:56])
• Jeff (sarcastic): “That should be reassuring, Anna—he’s not attracted to you. Even if you wanted him, he couldn’t.” ([15:54])
• Brooke: “That is the creepiest...” ([17:20])
• Hosts banter: “I think it’s out. He’s going to be moving cities again very shortly.” ([21:01])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening banter, intro: [00:31]–[01:36]
• Eric’s background/story: [02:08]–[08:58]
• Calling Anna, her account: [09:59]–[13:45]
• Confrontation and fallout: [13:45]–[17:48]
• Hosts’ post-call reflections: [19:40]–[21:06]

Tone and Dynamics

• The tone is irreverent, lively, and teasing, with the hosts openly joking about Eric’s misunderstanding of social cues and the blurring line between friendly and romantic gestures.
• The conversation is punctuated with quick repartee, sarcastic asides, and group laughter, keeping the energy high despite the underlying social awkwardness.

Summary

This “Second Date Update” revolves around workplace boundaries, social media sleuthing, and a hilariously misguided attempt at friendship (complete with corn dog toasts and a disastrously inappropriate shopping suggestion). The episode is a showcase of the hosts' humor and empathy as they attempt to untangle a messy workplace situation—ultimately serving as both a cautionary tale for mixing office and romance, and a reminder to be clear about intentions (and relationship status) in professional and personal interactions.

Key takeaway: Sometimes, a simple "friendly dinner" is a lot more than it seems—especially if you already have a girlfriend. And, never suggest bikini shopping with your coworker as a “platonic” gesture.

Listen to more "Second Date Update" on the Brooke and Jeffrey podcast for more hilarious and cringe-worthy tales of modern dating!