#170 - The Superbowl of Friendship - 2026 Edition

Summary

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Man of the Year – Champions of Friendship

Episode #170: "The Superbowl of Friendship – 2026 Edition"

Hosts: Matt Ritter and Aaron Karo
Release Date: February 3, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this lively and insightful episode, Matt and Aaron dive into the intersection of America’s biggest sporting event and the art of maintaining friendships. Declaring the Super Bowl as “the Super Bowl of Friendship,” they offer practical advice and comedic reflection on leveraging the occasion for meaningful social connection, combatting the ongoing “friendship recession.” Whether you’re a diehard sports fan or a casual partygoer, the hosts present tips and strategies to make the day about more than just football.

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Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Super Bowl as a Built-In Friendship Opportunity

• Super Bowl = Friendship Weekend:
  Matt notes this is “one of the built in calendar weekends for friendship” ([00:54]), urging listeners to use it intentionally for social connection.
• “Lowest Hanging Friendship Weekend”:
  It’s an easy, low-barrier way to get together, regardless of football interest.

2. Handling Social Anxiety Around Super Bowl Parties

• Acknowledging Social Awkwardness:
  Matt remarks some feel anxious about attending (“I think it's a great opportunity to turn it into a friendship home run.” [02:01]), and both recognize that not everyone feels comfortable at big gatherings.
• You Don’t Have to Love Football:
  They stress the party and community are what matter, not football expertise.

  “Belonging isn’t about expertise. Everybody belongs in that environment. You just have to show up as yourself.” – Matt ([17:13])

3. Friendship-Enhancing Super Bowl Tips

• Ask Deeper Questions:
  Aaron suggests a “fourth inning fetch”—encouraging listeners to check in on friends during the game, asking about their lives beyond surface talk ([03:21]).

  “At some point in your super bowl party, I want you to say to one of your buddies, like, how’s… ask them a question that’s a little bit deeper than like, you know, where’s the guacamole? …Like, how you doing? You okay?” – Aaron ([03:21])

• Arrive Early:
  Arriving pre-crowd enables more meaningful, less distracted interaction ([04:20]).
• Have a Conversation Starter Ready:
  Matt advises coming with a personal update to share, setting the tone for openness ([05:09]).
• Sit With Someone New:
  Intentionally sit near someone you want to connect with or get to know better ([05:18]).

4. Hosting & Party Dynamics

• Comfort & Logistics:
  The eternal battle of comfortable seating, and when (or how) to claim a good spot ([06:02]).
• Food & Drink:
  Emphasis on communal contributions—everyone should ask “What can I bring?” ([09:48]).
• Themed Touches:
  Themed cocktails and food add fun and help break the ice ([10:03]).
• Intentional Introductions:
  Matt highlights “the art of connecting” people with more than just names, offering context to spark conversation:

  “The art of introducing is about connecting the people, not just saying the name.” – Matt ([11:05])

5. Navigating the Non-Football Crowd

• Advice to Non-Fans:
  Listener question segment: If you don’t care about football, own it—most people at the party won’t mind, and many feel the same ([15:23] onwards).

  “As you said, it's more of a social thing... I’m gonna probably do a little Google beforehand to just, like, know the basic gist of what the hell’s going on.” – Aaron ([15:50])

• Reframe Your Mindset:
  Being invited means people want you there for you, not your sports knowledge ([16:26]).
• Find Your Role:
  Play to your strengths—help host, bring food, keep drinks filled, or be the “commercial guy” ([21:30], [23:15]).

6. Party Timing & Multi-Party Strategies

• Arrival Times:
  Debate over inviting people an hour or more before kickoff ([24:05]).
• Double-Booking Parties:
  Both hosts agree that “party hopping” often leads to regret (“Never go to a second destination.” – Matt, [25:13]).

7. Rituals, Nostalgia, and Social Fitness

• Sports as Ritual:
  Super Bowl, like Oscars parties or college football traditions, represents built-in opportunities for community ([26:52]).
• Friendship Maintenance:
  Matt reiterates their mission:

  “There’s not enough reasons that are built in on the calendar throughout the year to get out of the house. Our whole thing is like, just get out of the house.” ([26:40])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Making the Most of Super Bowl Day:

  "If you're not taking advantage of it, you're a sucker." – Matt ([00:52])

• On Hosting Duties:

  “Just because you’re hosting doesn't mean you have to be auditioning for Top Chef. The older we get, the more we're like, nope, we're hosting, everybody's contributing.” – Matt ([09:31]) "Anyone who gets invited to a super [bowl] party needs to respond with these words: What can I bring?" – Aaron ([09:48])

• On Introductions:

  “The art of introducing is about connecting the people, not just saying the name... something that will give you guys somewhere to go.” – Matt ([11:05])

• On Social Roles at Parties:

  “Figure out a role you can play. What role do you play at these events?” – Matt ([21:30])

• Practical Advice:

  “Ask your buddies how they're doing, please. Between beers.” – Aaron ([30:04])

• Low-Key, No-Pressure Gathering:

  “This is the lowest key hang. This is the lowest stakes. Such a low stakes one.” – Matt ([23:31])

• Party Hopping Regret:

  “Never leave. Never go to a second destination.” – Matt ([25:13])

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Key Timestamps

• 00:52 – Super Bowl: Built-In Friendship Weekend
• 03:21 – The “Fourth Inning Fetch” for deeper friendship interaction
• 04:20 – Come early for better, meaningful conversation
• 05:09 – Bring personal updates as conversation starters
• 07:36 – Super Bowl parties are about community, not just football
• 09:48 – “What can I bring?”—the golden guest mantra
• 10:35 – Host’s job: connect guests beyond introductions
• 15:23 – Listener Question: “How do I fit in at a football party if I don’t care about football?”
• 17:13 – Belonging is about presence, not expertise
• 21:30 – Finding your unique “role” at the party
• 24:05 – Pre-kickoff socializing; timing arrivals
• 25:13 – “Never go to a second destination”—the party-hopping trap
• 26:40 – There are never enough calendar reasons to get together: seize this one!
• 30:04 – Final words: check in with friends, be intentional

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Final Takeaways

• Friendship First:
  The Super Bowl is less about football and more about togetherness; use it to deepen friendships.
• Be Intentional:
  Check in on your friends, arrive early, play a positive role—enhance the group’s dynamic.
• No Pressure:
  Expertise, sports fandom, or social performance isn’t required—simply showing up with sincerity is enough.
• Help Out:
  Bring something, pitch in with cleanup, and make introductions that matter.
• Enjoy the Ritual:
  Take advantage of these “built in” days on the social calendar—these rituals keep the social circle alive and thriving.

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Transcript

[A]

Man of the year. Man of the year.

[B]

Man of the year. Welcome to the number one friendship podcast in the country. I'm Matt Ritter.

[A]

I'm Aaron Caro.

[B]

Guys, go to audible.com, the buddy system, to check out the hit audiobook or go to manofthearpodcast.com for merch. Caro's wearing our hat. We should be friends. It's a great one. At the airport or just anywhere, really. You ever go, you'll get compliments. Big, big, big weekend for sports. It's a Super Bowl.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Also great weekend for friendship. I call it the lowest hanging friendship weekend.

[A]

It's the super bowl of friendship.

[B]

Super bowl of friendship. Because it's just one of the built in calendar weekends for friendship. And if you're not taking advantage of it, you're a sucker.

[A]

Matt, you just did one of my pet peeves in. In the system. We record our podcast. You wrote super bowl one word. I hate that.

[B]

Oh, is it not?

[A]

It's not. It's not.

[B]

Yeah. All right. It's got the capital. Yeah. I've never, you know, it's hard for me. Big law. Sometimes I type it Big law. I type it in scripts. It's big law, L, A, W. It's all one word, but, like scrunched together. What's that?

[A]

Capital B and capital L. Yeah, but.

[B]

It'S all one word. I'm saying. That's why I like the super bowl gets scrunched for me, because I think it's because of. Because of big law.

[A]

Got a big law.

[B]

I think that's. That's what makes me scrunch things, you know?

[A]

Yes. I think we should talk a little bit about, like, how we can turn the super bowl from, you know, something you watch with your buddies get drunk into something a little bit more friendship focused.

[B]

Yeah. So I wanted to back up and say, you know, I think there's some people who think of the super bowl as, like, awkward and socially awkward and, you know, like, stressful to go to, like, random people. Super party. I think it's a great opportunity to turn it into a friendship home run. Do people think it's stressful? I think some people do.

[A]

Well, sorry I interrupted you. You just. You just mixed your metaphor there, didn't you?

[B]

I did. I accidentally said home run. I'm more of a baseball guy.

[A]

What can you do? I don't know. I don't think people. Are people stressed about their super bowl maybe?

[B]

I think so. I think some people are. I just wanted to acknowledge. I think people feel like, oh, I'M going to a stranger's house. I don't know if I want to do that.

[A]

Right.

[B]

I want, I hope I get invited somewhere. I think there are, I think it is fraught socially.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I don't even think, you know what, I didn't even take my own medicine. I don't think I even went to a Super bowl party last year.

[B]

I don't know if I did either. I can't even, can't even remember.

[A]

God help me out with the Giants this year, by the way. Our team, the Giants.

[B]

Another, another devastating year for New York's sports other than the Knicks, I guess in the Yankees. Well, no, Yankees. Well, it's pretty bad all around. Mets bombed anyway, so, yeah, so let's, let's get into the like ways to make the super bowl work for you friendship wise.

[A]

So one thing I wanted to mention off the bat and we talked about this a couple months ago, I can't remember the context. You're talking about baseball game. And we were half joking but half serious saying that like there's a seventh inning stretch, but we want to implement the fourth inning fetch when you turn to your buddy and actually ask them how they're doing. And I think the Super Bowl, I want, I want to, I want our listeners, guys, you're listening to. It's your boy K Ro. At some point in your super bowl party, I want you to say to one of your buddies, like, how's to ask them a question that's a little bit deeper than like, you know, where's the guacamole? Where's the beer? What's going on? Like, how you doing? You okay?

[B]

It's a good one.

[A]

Like, you know, if you know something is going on at work or with their family, like, I, I, I really hope that our listeners will try to go one step deeper.

[B]

How about this? A couple of ideas. One is come early if you really want to making it about friendship. Come early.

[A]

You know, we love that like coming early, coming early to any event because.

[B]

Once, once everybody's there, it's, it's very hard. Once, once the game's on, it's extremely hard.

[A]

I tell you, last weekend or two weekends that I went to a birthday party, I got there before the birthday boy.

[B]

That's hilarious.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Where was.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

At a bar.

[A]

Yeah, I was at a bar. Yeah. Yes, I love that. Come early. Okay, that's, that's a good tip.

[B]

So if you want to, you know, kind of get, get personal, you know, maybe have an update in your mind that you Want to share?

[A]

Oh, that's good. That's a good one.

[B]

You know, like, we always ask, say, ask people about themselves, but I think also have something ready, prepared, like, interesting about what's going on in your life pre kickoff. How about this one? Look, most of the time you're going to a close friend's house. Maybe you're going to a stranger's house. But if you're gonna use a Super bowl as a, you know, friendship, you know, plus up, sit next to someone you want to get to know better or want to improve your friendship with or, you know, I mean, if you're like, I always see Cairo. Right. Like, I could sit next to somebody else for the Super Bowl.

[A]

Okay, so what do you do about. Friendship aside, you know, when, like, the good seats are taken?

[B]

Ah, there's not enough good seats at most super bowl parties.

[A]

And you have to, like, you don't want to get up because you're going to lose your seat. You need to save the seat.

[B]

Saving seats at a Super bowl party, that's a toughie.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You're like Elaine in Seinfeld.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Very stressful. Seats taken. I think it's generally open seating, come and go. Super Bowl. You don't get to claim your seat forever.

[A]

Yeah. Unless. Unless, like, the host. The host gets us.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. It's tough. It's tough when you're like, I'm not even on a chair. I'm on the. I'm on a. I'm on, like, a couch end, yo.

[A]

Yeah, well, you also have. Well, I don't know. Do you still have a back, you know, sitting problem?

[B]

Never sit anywhere without back support.

[A]

Got it.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Let me ask you this. When you go to dinner with Jess or with a buddy and. And the guy goes. Or the woman goes, you want to sit at a high top? Like, absolutely not.

[B]

Zero chance.

[A]

Crippling, crippling.

[B]

Sciatic rebound. Like, sciatica goes. Send him over there. Sciatica's like, put him on the high top. I'm back, baby. I'm back.

[A]

I mean, whoever invented a high top? I mean, it's just. Unless the high tops got it back.

[B]

Even so, your legs are dangling. It's not healthy.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

Sciatica loves it. Absolutely thrives off the high tops. So super bowl parties. Yeah, I know. It's like, have enough comfortable chairs. Damn it. So hard.

[A]

Oh, oh, sorry. One more thing on the seating. Do you think there should be any deferral who said for the host, if, like, your team is in it.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Yeah, Okay.

[B]

I think it transcends that. It's not about football. This game is not about the game. Right. It's like, it's about the community. It's about, it should be more about getting people together. That's how we should be looking at it.

[A]

One more question. Do you believe at a party that people should be quiet during the commercials?

[B]

I used to really like abide by. Let me ask you this. I'm gonna ask a question to your question. Doesn't it feel like that used to be the rule and now that's just. Nobody respects any rules.

[A]

Well, I think also the commercials are on YouTube the day before. Anyway, I like, I like to, I like to watch the commercials. The problem is also we're usually boozing so hard, I'm like, I don't even remember what commercials were.

[B]

I think you need two areas. One for the people who are serious.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

And then I'm gonna guess that you're a big proponent of boxes.

[B]

Love box. I mean, it's a no brainer. Split a box with me.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

What's your. You ever, you ever do the boxes and like you just, you can't fill up the boxes? Not a people there. The boxes are too big.

[B]

No, it's depressing.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then you're like, wait, I. I took down 68 of the 100 boxes went right.

[C]

What is that right?

[A]

I like boxes because then you just, you pay into paying attention no matter what.

[B]

Yeah, no, I agree. And it's something for the non sports fan.

[A]

And do you believe that the fourth quarter, who, who wins before, if it goes into overtime, is it final scores or fourth quarter?

[B]

Oh, there have been a couple of overtimes.

[A]

I think there was one overtime.

[B]

Super Bowl. Yeah.

[A]

I think it's got to be fun.

[B]

It should be the final score.

[A]

We just have to say that ahead of time.

[B]

The last box should be whatever the final scores.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

What about when? Because as you're. You're a host with the most this. Any thoughts on like hosting, like to maximize your party for friendship?

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Well, it's always good to ask people to bring things. Just because you're hosting doesn't mean you have to, you know, be auditioning for Top Chef. The older we get, the more we're like, no, no, we're hosting. Everybody's contributing.

[A]

I feel that every. Anyone who gets invited to a super party needs to respond with these words. What can I bring?

[B]

Yes. And I like a themed. You know, obviously we like Theme stuff. Jesse likes themed cocktails. Theme cocktails are always good.

[A]

Yeah, I feel like chatgpt has ruined. Or maybe it's the other way. Like we used to come up. Jess, your wife used to come up with amazing names for the cocktails at like Oscar parties.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Now it's too easy.

[B]

Yeah. But it's slop. You can tell when it's real. Right?

[A]

Right. Yeah, it's like one margarita after another or something.

[B]

And then hosting, like hosting. And it can introduce. Introduce. You could even do name tags if there's over a certain number of people. If it's a big one.

[A]

Yes. I. Look, dude, introducing. Where was I? Like we have to maybe do a whole episode. Like the, the lost art of introducing. Like even if you think they've met before. Also, if you roll into a party and this is not your crew, you should also introduce yourself.

[B]

Yes. So I have one more I want to go further on. Introducing one is, you know, the art of introducing is about connecting the people, not just saying the name.

[A]

Oh, interesting.

[B]

Tim Cato. Cairo. Jim. Okay, so now what?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

What have you accomplished?

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Okay. Okay. Yes. And isn't that kind of up to Jim and Cairo to take?

[B]

No, it's up to a host. No, it's up to the connector. That's part of a hostage. That's part of a host job. Caro, one of my best friends. Great comedy writer. Jimmy, actually from Long Island. You know, whatever. Something that will give you guys somewhere to go.

[A]

You know what's great, Matt, you're good at this. Like, you introduce and then you kind of like chop a bot. Like you'd say something funny and you're like, you know, this guy can do 20 pull ups in a row. Anyway, goodbye. You know, then you're like, oh, yeah, I'm out. Yeah.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

I think it's important, like super bowl party, as I said, I think a lot of people come there feeling a little uncomfortable because they don't know everybody.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Man. What do you think about like, what's your favorite super bowl food?

[B]

I mean, I love just a good homemade guac. I love making guac.

[A]

Do you like a Mexican restaurant when they come and make it at the table?

[B]

Absolutely. I, I go bananas like I'm a child at Benihana.

[A]

But I'm always just like, this guy's job is just making guac all day.

[B]

That's. I, I have such a respect for the lost art of it.

[A]

I like, man, I eat so bad on. But you're. I Forgot you're a win guy. You're a win guy.

[B]

Yeah, I'll eat wings. I'm not. I wouldn't say I'm a wing guy.

[C]

Yeah, maybe.

[B]

Brian, what makes somebody a wing guy?

[A]

Matt, why you not know? Whenever I ask you, pizza guy, wing guy, you like your brain exposed. Like you don't even know what it means? Like.

[B]

Well, I'm saying, what, what delineates somebody a wing guy? How much wings do you grown grown ups eat?

[A]

I know, like it's. You really like wings? I don't know. I guess that that would be it, right?

[B]

I'm saying, do you. Do you know a lot of wing guys?

[A]

I think Brian's a wing guy, but I can't. I can't remember.

[B]

I do know, like a wing guy.

[A]

Yeah, he seems like. Because. Because like my dad, he can eat the wing and then it's just two pristine bones.

[B]

It's impressive. That's a lot.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But that whole generation, they were like post Holocaust kids. Like, no scrap left on a bone.

[A]

Yeah, I was gonna say sort of like. I guess their parents were like the post Depression.

[B]

Yeah. They were taking the. The scraps and putting it in, making soup and, you know, there was nothing old. It was no, no meat spared.

[A]

Oh, my God. Should we actually take a listener question?

[B]

Let's do it.

[A]

All right, guys, we'll be right back with a listener question.

[D]

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[A]

Okay, guys, this is asking for a friend. If you have a friendship question or ethical dilemma, send it to us on Instagram at Man of the Year podcast, and we will answer on the show. Take it away, Matt.

[B]

Hey, Matt and Caro. I love the super bowl socially, but I don't care about football at all. And I always feel a little awkward at parties, like, I don't belong there. How do I show up without feeling like I'm faking it or I'm in the way?

[A]

Well, I was for. I mean, first of all, half the people at any super bowl party don't know what the hell is going on. As you said, it's more of a social thing. I mean, listen, I'm a big sports fan. I'm gonna probably do a little Google beforehand to just, like, know the basic gist of what the hell's going on.

[B]

Well, here's the thing, right? I. I have two minds about that. I think you're probably just better off being, like, I'm not a huge football. Football guy. I'm here to hang out because I think people respect that.

[A]

I mean, it's not like there's gonna be a freaking quiz.

[B]

No, I know, but I think some people feel like there is.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Or like they're gonna get caught in a convo with the big sports fan, and that's gonna be a weird thing. Oh, what do you think about Brett Favre, who hasn't played in, like, 10 years?

[A]

How about this? Let's reframe. Let's do a classic reframe. Hey, you're not even a sports fan. They're inviting you to the party. Like, that's. They must really like you.

[B]

Yeah, and I. I totally agree. Like, they invited you, and they know you don't know anything about football. Yeah. The Super Bowl. As I said, I think super bowl transcends sport. It's a. It's a community ritual. It's the last few super bowl parties I went to, I didn't even know who was playing. I don't even remember who won.

[A]

God. It's. The sooner the Giants get eliminated, which is happening sooner and sooner. The sooner I clock out.

[B]

Yeah, but I want to get under the note here, because I think there's something important that people misperceive about these gatherings.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Belonging isn't about expertise. Like, you don't. The people who belong there aren't just the people who are sports fans. Everybody belongs in that environment. You just have to show up as yourself and show up. Well.

[A]

I, I totally agree. And what I I. Yes. And. And then you find other ways to contribute. So, like, one thing I'll do. There's always going to be a couple. It depends what city you're in, who people are really into. It's their team, they've got the jersey, they're from that team city. I'm always like, you want another beer? Like, so you don't have to get up.

[B]

I like that. Have you ever gone to, like. I'm not a soccer fan per se. I know you are, but I used to go in my big law days. A lot of. For some reason, a lot of lawyers are into Euro League or you know. Yeah. So, like, occasionally I would get invited and I definitely knew nothing about any of it and I would just go anyway. And sometimes I would be like. When they'd ask me about it, like, who's your favorite? I'm like, I don't nothing about this.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And they were fine with it.

[B]

They're totally fine with it.

[A]

By the way. I cannot wait for the World Cup.

[B]

It's gonna be. Where is it exactly? So far?

[A]

It's in la. Yes. And Sofi. But it's all around. It's New York. I mean, it's a. Canada, Mexico. I've been trying to get tickets in the lottery, whatever it is.

[B]

Oh, is it already available? Was it already happen. I missed the whole.

[A]

Yeah, it's going people. The demand is insane. They're doing, you know, what's it called? Dynamic pricing. So just bananas and people getting pissed off and.

[B]

Oh, is that right? So how do I go do it? Is it too late?

[A]

You. No, you haven't. Yes, you have. You. It's not too late. There's a couple weeks. You can enter the lottery.

[B]

Should we Airbnb our house? I was told, like, I could make a lot of money if I leave for these events.

[A]

Well, the. This and the Olympics. I mean. Yeah. Probably more so the Olympics. You're not really coming to the World cup for multiple days and multiple weeks maybe, Right? Only for the Olympics.

[B]

I don't know. People seem to be overhyping that element of it. Oh, you'll make bank you leave your house. Is that true? I just don't know if that's true.

[A]

Well, I remember this is such a deep cut. Remember when the US Open came to Beth Page Black for the first time in the.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That was pre Airbnb.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And I think our friends, the triplets, because don't they Live sort of close.

[B]

Didn't they host somebody?

[A]

I think they were doing something or they were renting out their driveway or something.

[D]

Right?

[B]

Yeah, I think they rented out that gym in the basement.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, man.

[A]

We've got. We, we. You have to admit, being Los Angeles now, our cup runeth over. We've got World Cup, Super Bowl, Olympics back to back to back.

[B]

It's unbelievable.

[A]

I mean, that's a. That's a city. That's a real city.

[B]

Wait, what is it again?

[A]

World Cup, Super Bowl, Olympics.

[B]

Super Bowls next year. Here.

[A]

Yeah. Well, next Super Bowl. Yes, correct. Next Super Bowl. 20, 27. Super Bowl.

[B]

Wow, that's amazing.

[A]

God, we gotta go. That was, that was, that was a life highlight when we went.

[B]

Oh, us, Us sneaking our way into the Super Bowl.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

God, that was so fun. That was so good.

[B]

Some more. Okay, so back to this guy's question. Yeah. Like, I agree with Kara. It's fine if you want to look up who's playing. You know, give yourself just a basic understanding. You don't need to know anything else. But I do think you're better off just being like, not really. Not really a big sports guy. Yeah. It's just funny. You're not. Just so you're not caught in. If you're. What you're afraid of is I'm gonna get caught in a weird combo. Just, just cut that off at the pass.

[A]

Okay. Let me. Yes, let me. Yes. And you again, what about you go the other way and you are inquisitive and you're curious. Well, can you imagine when you. Your Euro cup things and you're like, oh, what's going on with that player? They would probably talk to you for 20 minutes.

[B]

Yeah, some people like that. I think if you find the right person who wants to educate you on it. Great. Sometimes some people get annoyed.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, read the room, guys. As we say, as I coin, practice radical self awareness. The guy.

[B]

Radical self awareness. How about this? I like what you were saying about do something. I think what you're saying is figure out a role you can play. What role do you play at these events? Right, right.

[A]

You're, you're, you're, you know, you're a good. You're, you're just a good time. You're helping clean up.

[B]

Yeah. Hey, everybody appreciates that I told you my new rule, right?

[A]

No, when you, when you, when you go like this, that means let's get.

[B]

Out of the house. But no, my new, new rule is we did this on Thanksgiving. Nobody leaves until the house is completely clean back to the way it was.

[A]

Oh. Because that's actually not usually your mo. Because you're like, get out and we'll take care of it.

[B]

I know now with two kids, it's too hard. Then it's really okay. Piles of dishes.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

I didn't actually know. I don't even know what you did for Thanksgiving. So. How many people did you have?

[B]

19.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But at some point, like, there's only so much. I guess if you have ever been working together. Clear. Most of it.

[B]

It was. No, all of it. Literally, when we went to bed that night, it was done.

[A]

Yeah. But I'm saying there's only so much. When there was 19 people standing around the kitchen, there's only so much you could do. I guess you.

[B]

No, all those hands were welcome.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Okay. All right. That's good.

[B]

That's a. That's a.

[A]

That's a new. And everybody's fine with it because who. Yeah. Who cares?

[B]

Of course they're fine with it.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

If you're not fine with it, you're not coming back to my house.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Okay. Yeah. Helping clean up is always good. You know, Also, like, it's like you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You gather some stuff while the, you know, while the. The. The game's happening. Who's the halftime show bad bunny?

[B]

I think so.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

It'll be interesting. Yeah.

[B]

I mean, look, you could be the commercial guy, you know, that's your moment to shine.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, Yeah.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

I think. I mean, I like that they're. They're even thinking this much about it, but I think just go and have a good time, get drunk.

[B]

I agree. This is the lowest key hang. This is the lowest stakes. Such a low stakes one.

[A]

It's. Don't walk in front of the TV and you'll be fine.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. And like, by the way, you're. You're reading the room wrong. Half the people don't know anything about the Super Bowl.

[A]

Oh, yeah. And by the way, people who do know are idiots. They don't know what they're talking about anyway.

[B]

Right. Like, you're. You're just reading. You. You feel. You're the person who's out of place. Half that room has no idea what's. What's going on with the game. Yeah. You're in the majority.

[A]

What time do you think you call the party for? I'm gonna look at one. Kickoff is how. How far in advance?

[B]

Oh, I think an hour. Right.

[A]

An hour. Oh, interesting. That's, that's not that, that's not that. Six.

[B]

You think more than that.

[A]

Kickoff is at 6:30 Eastern.

[B]

So you have people come at 5, 5:30.

[A]

Well, no, 6:30.

[B]

Four.

[A]

Well, 6:30 Eastern. 3:30 our time, right?

[B]

Yes. I think you have people coming. 2:30.

[A]

No, it's too, it's too, it's too close to kickoff.

[B]

That's cutting it too close. One hour.

[A]

Well, people show up late. I don't know, I like to. I like to be settled in like two hours in advance, get a nice buzz going.

[B]

Yeah. Two hours in advance. Wow.

[A]

And then leave at halftime.

[B]

Yeah. Well, what do you think about the doubling up?

[A]

What's that? Oh, two parties.

[B]

Yeah. Wow.

[A]

I didn't even think too much.

[B]

I've done that a couple times. It's too much. Every time I do it, I go, should have just stayed. It's too much.

[A]

Every time I've ever left anywhere to go to someplace else, I'm like, why'd I do that?

[B]

Mistake. Never leave. Never go to a second destination.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Never do it.

[A]

I mean, unless, I mean, listen. Unless you're, you know, listen, let's take our own advice. If it's more of a social thing and you're just trying to show up for your buddies and people, if you're.

[B]

Gonna do it, you gotta go. This place is dead anyways.

[A]

You know, la, you know. Well, I guess during the day it's, it's not, not bad to get around. Depends where you're going. I think, I think I'm okay with a double up if you don't.

[B]

See you doing that this year, probably.

[A]

I don't even wanna do. I want to go to one party?

[B]

Yeah, we just said I could see you going. Yeah, what else?

[A]

Who else is going to be there?

[B]

Who else is. Who's gonna be there? Ko's first question. Who's gonna be there?

[A]

Do we answer this question?

[B]

Yeah, I think it's, it's nice that you're thinking about that. You could go Caro's way of like doing a little research, know who's playing. Yeah, you could be the inquisitive person. Hey, do you want to tell me about the game? You know, why do you like that team? Are you from there gets. It's a chance to get to know somebody.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, I think, I think you're gonna have a good time. So guys, I was asking for a friend. If you have a friendship question, send it to us on Instagram. Any other final tips on the super bowl of friendship? What about People who don't. Who opt out of the Super Bowl.

[B]

Why?

[A]

You know, like my sister doesn't give a. About Super Bowl.

[B]

Yeah, right. I'm saying I think it's just an excuse to be social again. There's not enough reasons that are built in on the calendar throughout the year to get out of the house. Our whole thing is like, just get out of the house.

[A]

I mean, I suppose it's the same thing as an Oscars party.

[B]

Absolutely.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I agree. The sport is completely secondary. That's to people who are non sports fans. That's what I want to emphasize. This is not about. I did not watch a game of football this year.

[A]

Yeah, that's, that's on. Is it because the Giants were so bad? You just were busy kids.

[B]

Busy kids. Whatever. I can't. Sunday's not, you know, just not doable.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

You think if the Giants were good, you would have watched a little bit? Probably, yeah.

[B]

Probably find a way to sneak it in.

[A]

People have. Listen, I. Again, because the Giants. And also just my, my, my, my sports watching has decreased a little bit. I mean, Sunday is that ritual that people love and I, and I like. And I'm kind of envious of people who like, they go to an Eagles bull bar.

[B]

I'm envious of, of those rituals. The college ritual I never got into.

[C]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[A]

We never, we never. That's our, that's our biggest.

[B]

Don't you think the college one is stronger?

[A]

Well, if you went to like Michigan or whatever. Michigan's having their own issues. But yeah, I mean, it's insane. I mean, you could just tailgate when you're like 80 and it's totally fine.

[B]

Something really cool about college ritual that we missed out on. So. Yeah, I mean, any built in rituals are great. Also that it's seasonal is nice too, because it's a lower commitment.

[A]

Right?

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

I mean, that's why people who are baseball fans. I'm just like, how, how do you live your life?

[B]

It's, it's a, that's a big commitment.

[A]

Lindsay goes to spring training.

[B]

I've done that. It's fine, actually.

[A]

Oh yeah. Did you go recently or.

[B]

No, I would. Florida. We did a comedy tour. Me, Steve Hofstadter and Danny Jollis, like eight years ago, 10 years ago.

[A]

Wow, what a bunch of heavy hitters there.

[B]

Heavy hitters.

[A]

And where'd you go? Like point Port St. Lucie maybe?

[B]

It was Florida. Is that Florida? It was across the, not the Panhandle, across the middle of Florida. Sarasota Jesus, Lucy. What if you named it a town that a team plays in? We went there. Vero Beach.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Well, I mean, did you see the Mets or was it any. Anything?

[B]

Yeah, yeah, it was the Mets. We were following them around.

[A]

And then what? What's the fan? What's the what? How are those shows?

[B]

They were fun, but they were all at random bars. There's a bar. God. Beer something. House of beer. House of beer. Does that make sense?

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

Like house of bruise or something. I don't know. They were at these, like random venues, right?

[A]

Oh, God, I hate a stand up show at a bar and people are talking.

[B]

You got to put together the show at a rant. You got to put the chairs together yourself. Chairs together.

[A]

Oh, God. And then there's. You could hear people, like clicking glasses and stuff.

[B]

There's definitely an alligator at one of them.

[A]

Oh, God. Yeah, man. Stand up through the. Through the south panhandle during spring training. Yeah.

[B]

Sticky.

[A]

Well, I'm. I'm looking forward to it. I think these are some good advice. I want to just reiterate what I said at the beginning. Ask your buddies how they're doing, please. Between beers. Yeah. What's your drink of choice gonna be? Are you a beer guy? What does the beer guy mean?

[B]

Well, no, I've had less than. I've had these beers sitting in my house since like a year ago from the last party we threw.

[A]

Oh, damn.

[B]

I don't know. I guess I'll drink a light beer of some sort.

[A]

Yeah, maybe an N. A.

[B]

I would never do that. I'd rather not drink. I'd rather just drink water. I like water.

[A]

Water.

[B]

I like water.

[A]

Yeah, you. Love you. You. You. You're. You're a big water guy.

[B]

I'm a water guy. I'm a water guy. Where are you?

[A]

I would drink. I probably won't have hard liquor. I'll probably just drink like MC Ultras.

[B]

Yeah, the lowest cal. Whatever. The lowest calories. I'm trying to get into the best shape of my life this year.

[A]

I love it. I love it. All right, guys, send us your super bowl stories, predictions, how was your party? And just think of this as an opportunity, as Matt says, for community, belonging, and connection. All right, guys, thanks so much for listening. Always remember, be good to yourself. Be good to your friends. Love you, buddy.

[B]

Love you, buddy.

[E]

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[F]

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[A]

Uh, yeah.

[F]

Let me see that can. Aluminum butane. I cannot pronounce that. You have to switch to native deodorant. Native simple formula has only clean ingredients. It gives you effective 72 hour odor protection with no hydrocarbon propellants.

[A]

Wow, this smells heavenly.

[F]

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[A]

If you like the show, please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe. It really does help the show to grow. Thank you for listening.