Second Date Update: "Does This Smell Like Your Mom?"

Podcast: Brooke and Jeffrey: Second Date Update
Date: December 10, 2025
Episode Context: Denise returns to the show with a brand new strategy to meet men—this time, by taking a seasonal job at a department store perfume counter. After finding a shy, eligible guy (Caleb), she enlists the hosts' help to figure out why he hasn’t taken their connection further.

Episode Overview

This episode centers around Denise, a creative and determined dater, who’s back for another Second Date Update. This time, she’s leveraged a part-time department store job to meet eligible men during the holidays. Denise finds Caleb, who stands out for his shyness and sincerity, but after an initial spark and continued texting, he hasn't made an effort to set up a real date. The hosts, Brooke, Jeffrey, and Jose, jump in to help Denise uncover Caleb’s hesitation—and the resolution offers both humor and a sweet, unexpected twist.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Denise’s Bold Dating Tactics

• Recap of Previous Appearance: Denise previously searched for men at a golf course by pretending to need help (“How do I swing this long metal stick?”) [04:11].
• New Strategy: She secures a part-time perfume counter job, believing single men flock there to buy gifts for mothers and sisters during the holidays. Denise:

  “If I’m going to a bar and spending money to meet guys, I can have a job to get money and still meet the guy.” [05:48]

2. The Encounter at the Perfume Counter

• Noticing Caleb: Unlike other men, Caleb is notably shy and is genuinely buying a fragrance for his mom.
• The Flirting Tactics: Denise sprays perfume on her neck and hand—inviting Caleb to smell and sparking some playful skepticism from the hosts. Jeff:

  “Does this smell like your mom?” [07:37]

• Direct Approach: Denise is assertive:

  "If you want to ask me out, it's okay." [08:01]

• Result: Caleb shyly asks her out, she writes her number on the receipt, and they begin texting.

3. Caleb’s Reluctance to Go on a Date

• Continued Texting, No Plans: Despite positive texts, a date never materializes.
• Host Speculation: The group wonders if Caleb’s timidness or possible hidden relationship is the barrier. Denise:

  “I’ve seen cheaters. I know how they move. He’s not like that.” [09:13]

4. The Confrontation: Calling Caleb

• Caleb Answers: He is surprised by the call but confirms he likes Denise.
• His Excuse:

  “I just can’t go out with her… Not yet.” [13:24]

• Reason?: He vaguely mentions “trying some special supplements… see if they’re effective,” which leads to a barrage of speculation and awkwardness. [14:00]
  • Jose: "You're doing steroids, bro?" [14:25]
  • Jeff: “Is it hair loss?” [14:28]

Notable Misunderstanding

The conversation takes a turn for the hilarious and awkward as the hosts and Denise struggle to figure out what kind of "growth" Caleb is talking about—all while Caleb clearly feels embarrassed and tries to deflect.

5. The Reveal: Caleb’s “Beard Journey”

• The Truth Comes Out:

  “It’s called Beard Burst. I’m trying to get facial hair. Because beards are really hot right now.” [17:21]

• Denise’s supportive response:

  “Caleb, you have a cute face. Without facial hair, I mean.” [17:47]

• Laugh-out-loud moment as Denise and the hosts realize their imaginations had gone elsewhere due to Caleb’s vague explanation.

6. Resolution and Heartwarming Close

• Denise’s Support:

  “If you’re on this beard journey, I will go on this journey with you… As long as I can be your personal facial massager, I think we can make this work.” [18:22, 18:39]

• Caleb Agrees to a Real Date:

  “Oh, yeah, absolutely. I really want to see her.” [19:01]

• Denise:

  “I’m sure Hemsworth would have nothing on your beard—your heart.” [19:10]

• Caleb:

  “Tonight, I’m gonna delete my Tinder profile.” [19:41]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Jose, Joking About Denise’s Forwardness:

  "Did you bully him into a date?" [08:34]

• Jeff, Summing Up the Awkwardness:

  “When somebody says that, you don’t want to ask a lot of questions … but then that leaves it open to interpretation, which was obviously wrong.” [21:36]

• Brooke, After the Reveal:

  "The problem was he was talking about how Denise was really going to like it, and he mentioned growth a few times. It just … it led us into a weird space." [22:00]

Notable Timestamps

• Denise’s Return and Dating Tactics: [03:54–06:09]
• Perfume Counter Encounter: [06:09–08:25]
• Caleb’s Shyness and Stalled Attempts: [08:25–11:19]
• Calling Caleb and Supplements Confusion: [12:10–17:21]
• Beard Burst Reveal: [17:21–18:05]
• Denise’s Beard Journey Offer/Date Confirmed: [18:22–19:41]

Tone & Style

The episode maintains the playful, lightly teasing, and genuinely supportive tone characteristic of “Brooke and Jeffrey.” The hosts balance humor with empathy, ribbing both Denise for her boldness and Caleb for his shyness, but always circling back to warmth and encouragement.

Takeaways

• Creativity in Modern Dating: Denise’s willingness to go the extra mile (literally getting a whole extra job!) and her forward approach offer a humorous, inspirational case study in meeting people offline.
• Insecurities Can Stall Romance: Caleb’s delay is rooted not in disinterest but in insecurity (in this case, his facial hair)—a reminder that self-image can seriously impact dating behavior.
• Miscommunication Makes Good Radio: The supplements discussion and the host’s wild guesses generate the episode’s best laughs, but also illustrate how easy it is for good intentions to be misunderstood.
• Support Wins: Ultimately, Denise’s support and assurance diffuse Caleb’s nerves, and the episode closes on a hopeful note.

Final Thoughts

“Does This Smell Like Your Mom?” is classic “Second Date Update”: a mix of genuine awkwardness, supportive nudges, and comic misadventure, all culminating in a resolution that’s both relatable and heartening. Denise’s inventive approach, Caleb’s sincerity, and the hosts’ antics make for a memorable, entertaining holiday episode.