Podcast Summary: Happy Wife Happy Life

Episode 89: The HARD TRUTH About Cheating

Date: November 17, 2025
Hosts: Kendahl Landreth and Jordan Myrick

Episode Overview

In this candid, comedic and insightful installment of "Happy Wife Happy Life," Kendahl Landreth and Jordan Myrick continue their exploration of cheating in relationships—this time delving into listener questions, debating emotional versus physical cheating, and doling out the show’s signature blend of hard truths and heartfelt advice. The hosts unpack the complicated emotions around cheating, discuss the ethics of infidelity, and give pointed feedback to a listener confession. As always, their conversation is peppered with tangents, humor, and a lot of real talk about personal values and relationship dynamics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter and Relationship Dynamics (00:20–10:02)

• Comedic Recap: The duo opens with a light-hearted story about driving to the studio with Jordan’s laptop on the roof—illustrative of their dynamic and communication quirks.
• Responsibility in Relationships: Jordan expresses frustration over Kendahl not warning her, leading to a playful debate about unspoken expectations in marriage.
  • Kendahl’s Take: She attributes her hesitance to speak up to "youngest sibling mentality," always assuming others know better (02:14).
  • Jordan’s Take: Emphasizes the need to “see something, say something” (01:36).
• Bigger Picture: Connects the small annoyances to broader themes of mutual support, communication styles, and “having each other's back.”

Quote:
"That's the whole point of being married, is that you have someone else is doing...thinking for you."
— Jordan (05:16)

2. Pet Peeves and Social Etiquette (06:03-10:02)

• Movie Theater Etiquette: Anecdote about people rushing during final scenes, segueing to frustrations with urgency and social behavior in crowds.
• Joy in Moments: Both advocate embracing shared experiences instead of “hacking the system” for convenience.

3. Listener Questions on Cheating (10:06–24:26)

A. Not Feeling Bad After Being Cheated On (10:17–11:49)

• Hosts reassure the listener:
  • It’s normal to not feel upset—often indicates you’re checked out or already emotionally moved on.
  • If cheating is validating or prompts relief, “you shouldn’t be in that relationship anymore.”
  • "You already had gone through the breakup." —Kendahl (11:02)

B. Supporting a Cheated Friend (11:49–14:50)

• Tailor your reaction:
  • Some want commiseration ("they suck"), others want respect for their ex.
  • “Parrot” the friend’s tone before revealing true feelings.
  • Jordan and Kendahl discuss preferred support if roles were reversed: hype for the future, not condemn the past.

Quote:
“You deserve someone that treats you well. Sometimes love…just because you love someone doesn’t mean they’re going to treat you the best.”
— Jordan (14:32)

C. Is Cheating Ever Ethical? (23:47–24:26)

• Both firmly say no:
  • There’s no context that makes cheating ethical, as it breaches mutual agreement.
  • Kendahl calls out rationalizations: “Okay, you cheated on your wife. You’re being an ass.” (24:24)

4. Emotional vs. Physical Cheating (24:26–32:37)

• Jordan: Emotional cheating is more hurtful—"it feels more intentional."
• Kendahl: Emotional cheating has more gray areas but agrees it can be worse than a physical slip.
• Distinguishing Degrees: Flirting vs. deep emotional intimacy. Full-blown emotional affairs are likened to “Mormon soaking” for their faux-restrained intensity.
• Notable Theory:
  • “A cheater isn’t always a cheater, but a liar is always a liar.”
  • Jordan’s view: lying represents a deeper character flaw, and coming clean is preferable; Kendahl’s counter: lying can be a trauma response and is possible to outgrow.

Memorable Moment:
"I think one time a cheater makes you even less likely to be a cheater ever again because it's upsetting."
— Kendahl (31:46)

5. Whether to Confess Cheating (32:57–36:45)

• Differing Opinions:
  • Jordan: Once lying begins, complications multiply.
  • Kendahl: Some people believe it’s best not to confess if it won’t happen again, but she would feel compelled to tell.
• Short-Term vs. Long-Term: More ethical to break up than to admit to cheating in brief relationships. Both agree: hiding it leads to more deception.

6. Listener Confession: The Other Woman (36:52–46:34)

Listener Story (36:53)

• Listener admits to hooking up with a guy who had a girlfriend, asks if she should "be burned at the stake."

Hosts’ Hard Truths

• No Burning at the Stake:
  • Both emphasize accountability over self-flagellation.
  • Critique framing of “they hated me on principle”—artificial villainizing of the girlfriend.
  • Advice: Stop hooking up with him, apologize to the girlfriend if possible.
  • Reflect on how brains twist reality to justify bad actions.

Quote
“You need kind of a wake up call for yourself. You're gonna be single when you're dead…If you can only find attraction to someone who's taken…it's not gonna work out.”
— Kendahl (46:14)

• Reframe Attraction: Stop romanticizing the “bad boy cheater,” and recognize this is actually an emotionally immature, unattractive choice.
• Empathy & Growth: Acknowledge the brain’s power to reframe but underscore the need for honesty and change.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That's the whole point of being married, is that you have someone else is doing...thinking for you.” — Jordan (05:16)
• “You deserve someone that treats you well...just because you love someone doesn’t mean they're going to treat you the best.” — Jordan (14:32)
• “A cheater isn’t always a cheater, but a liar is always a liar.” — Jordan (24:57)
• “Cheating is wrong. It's wrong. There you go. Stop doing it.” — Kendahl (45:43)
• “You need kind of a wake up call for yourself...you're gonna be single when you're dead.” — Kendahl (46:14)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:20–10:02 – Opening stories, recurring relationship quirks
• 10:06–14:50 – Listener Q&A: Emotional aftermath of cheating, supporting friends
• 24:26–32:37 – Debating emotional vs. physical cheating; theory of “cheaters vs. liars”
• 32:57–36:45 – Should you confess? Ethics of disclosure
• 36:52–46:34 – Listener confession: The “other woman” and hosts’ tough-love response

Tone and Style

• Warm, comedic, and openly direct; Kendahl and Jordan blend empathic advice with biting wit.
• Honest, sometimes brutally so, but rooted in care for listeners’ growth and well-being.
• Use of humor (“Mormon soaking,” “single when you’re dead”) keeps the episode lively even in serious discussion.

Takeaways

• Cheating is rarely (if ever) ethical—don’t rationalize, take responsibility.
• Emotional cheating can cut deeper than physical, especially when intention and secrecy are involved.
• Supporting a friend after cheating requires sensitivity; match their emotional needs, don’t impose your own.
• Rationalizing or romanticizing being “the other” ultimately hurts everyone—including yourself.
• Communication, honesty, and personal growth are essential—don’t let self-deception or denial sabotage your life or relationships.

Final Thoughts

Kendahl and Jordan strike a balance between no-nonsense wisdom and playful banter, offering both practical guidance and tough love. Their unique style makes for an episode that’s as entertaining as it is thought-provoking for anyone grappling with the complex realities of modern relationships.