I'll Be There For You | Reading Reddit Stories

Summary

Smosh Reads Reddit Stories: "I'll Be There For You" | Episode Summary

Date: May 30, 2026
Host: Shayne Topp; Guests: Angela and Amanda

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Episode Overview

In this laughter-filled episode of “Smosh Reads Reddit Stories,” host Shayne Topp welcomes Smosh cast members Angela and Amanda to the new studio set for a deep-dive into Reddit’s juiciest friendship tales. Focusing on stories about friendship—its ups, downs, breakups, betrayals, and the hilarious messes in between—the crew reads and reacts to dramatic, touching, and outright absurd user-submitted posts from subreddits like r/AmITheAsshole, r/relationships, and r/TrueOffMyChest. With their signature irreverence and charm, the cast examines what it truly means to be there for your friends, and why sometimes, you need to walk away for your own good.

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Main Themes

• The complexity and emotional stakes of friendships vs. romantic relationships
• Friendship “tiers” and being made to feel less-than
• Manipulation, keeping score, and unhealthy dynamics
• Miscommunication in platonic/romantic territory
• Religious clashes and group exclusion
• The small moments and big hugs that define real friendship

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Key Discussion Points & Memorable Moments

1. The New Set and Friendship Opener

Timestamps: 00:42–05:04

• Introduction on the new set, with playful banter about pillow names (“Am I the Ass? And this is the hole.”) and a running “king chair” joke.
• Shayne (mockingly): “I am joined by two people who I can’t stand.” (01:46)
• Angela: “We hate you too. That’s why friendship is complicated, people.” (01:57)
• The group reflects on the emotional gravity of friendship breakups:
  Amanda: “With relationships, you’re always like, this could not work out... But with friendships, you don’t expect it to end.” (03:20) Shane: “A friendship breakup is typically, 'I don’t want to see you.' That’s so much more brutal.” (04:12)

2. Story 1: The “B List” Birthday Guest

Timestamps: 05:04–15:26

Reddit Post:

A lifelong friend discovers she’s been relegated to a “B List” side room at her best friend’s milestone birthday party—watching the real party via livestream. She leaves early and takes her gift with her. The birthday girl and her mom accuse her of letting them down.

Reactions:

• Amanda: “I am gagging. I am over the toilet. I am barfing.” (08:23)
• Angela: “She found out the tier that she was in as this woman's friend.” (09:06)
• Shayne: “If I walked into that room... I’d be apologetic. Like, you don’t get to attend the party.” (11:28)
• Amanda pitches the “Magic Room” idea: make the second room a fun, rotating side-experience rather than a punishment. (12:28)
• Angela sums up: “If someone shows you who they are, believe them.” (14:07)

Notable Quotes:

• “This isn’t like a wedding, this is a birthday. Just don't invite those people.” —Shane (12:06)
• “She got her mom involved... Girly, girly, girly.” —Angela (10:39)

3. Story 2: “My Boyfriend Always Brings His Friend (Liam) on Our Dates”

Timestamps: 20:39–33:54

Reddit Post:

A young woman asks if she’s justified in breaking up with her boyfriend who—using guilt and fabricated sob stories—always brings his friend Liam along on their one-on-one dates. OP tries to break up, only to find out (in front of Liam) that the boyfriend lied about Liam’s tragic past; Liam is actually engaged and not lonely at all.

Reactions:

• Amanda (reacting to the reveal): “He lied about everything that Liam went through.” (29:13)
• Shane: “You didn’t sign up to be the third wheel in your own relationship.” (24:46)
• Angela: “I wonder if Liam’s still friends with him.” (29:19)

Notable Quotes:

• “Xavier just flat out is a liar. Glad I broke up with him. Mad I got lied to, but oh well.” (OP’s update, 28:44)
• “If people are making lies up about me... and I’m like, ‘He's alive!’” —Amanda (29:25)

4. Story 3: The Friend Who Constantly “Tests” You

Timestamps: 36:43–47:22

Reddit Post:

OP recounts being “tested” by her friend Stella, who sets up scenarios to see if OP will prove her loyalty (such as paying for her drink as thanks for moving help). OP finally walks away from the friendship after another guilt-trip brunch.

Reactions:

• Amanda: “That wasn't funny. That wasn't interesting. That sucks. That's just a bummer, dude.” (40:13)
• Angela: “Those are red flag friends.” (40:29)
• Shane: “It's controlling. It’s a very specific type of control.” (42:19)
• Group discusses love-bombing, transactional friendship, and how keeping score is toxic.

Notable Quotes:

• “Doing anything with an ulterior motive is always gonna bring a different energy.” —Amanda (43:44)
• “It’s a giving mentality... If you help someone move, the only expectation... is ‘hey, can you help when I move?’ but it shouldn’t be a transaction.” —Shane (41:06)
• “Let it go. It isn’t worth being friends with someone who expects you to guess their moods.” —Reddit therapist comment (45:29)

5. Story 4: “I Kissed My Friend Because I Was Sure He Was About to Kiss Me”

Timestamps: 48:12–55:57

Reddit Post:

After months of what seemed like mutual flirty signals, OP kisses a male friend—only to learn he was about to ask for advice about her other friend, his real crush. She’s mortified but receives a kind “Are you okay?” text from the guy.

Reactions:

• Amanda: “Middle school Angela would be like, ‘Do you have any crushes right now?’” (56:53)
• Shane: “Whenever I hear about someone like shooting their shot, I’m just like, yeah, man, good job.” (59:10)
• The trio reflects on the difference between care and attraction, how friends can mislead you accidentally, and the importance of communication.

Notable Quotes:

• “He did not kiss me back. Not like he pushed me away. He just froze and then pulled back a little and did this sharp exhale. And said, ‘Oh.’ One syllable. 'Oh.'” —(OP's retelling, 49:10)
• “You are human. Humans are going to be human. You'll be okay.” —Reddit commenter (58:44)

6. Story 5: “My Friend Group Thinks I’m Demonically Possessed”

Timestamps: 61:23–69:52

Reddit Post:

OP details being ostracized by her former religious friend group, who—after a shared mushroom trip—decide she’s “possessed” and needs an exorcism. She’s cut off, but ultimately walks away for her own peace.

Reactions:

• Amanda: “The only demonic thing is ostracizing people.” (66:22)
• Angela (reflecting on exclusion): “If you don’t have a good support group, you can really feel like you are bad.” (68:15)
• Shayne jokes about religious selectivity: “Crystals are the devil’s work, but you guys did a shroom trip.” (65:31)

Notable Quotes:

• “Good riddance to all of them. Sarah was never your friend. That was a setup, and she used your faith to gang up on you.” —Reddit comment (69:52)

7. Story 6: “The Supermarket Hug—Is That Dina Pisciotti?”

Timestamps: 71:07–81:39

Reddit Post:

A 57-year-old woman runs into an old colleague at the supermarket and is enveloped in the most joyful, accepting hug of her life, leaving her feeling more “seen” than she ever has been by friends or family.

Reactions:

• Amanda & Angela create the instantly-infamous “Dina Pisciotti” character, launching into improvised sketches about over-the-top market reunions with big Italian energy.
• Amanda: “I’m obsessed with Dina Pisciotti!” (75:03)
• Shane: “This is a funny story, because when I’m at the grocery store I don’t want anyone to talk to me.” (77:01)
• The group riffs on the wholesome power of hugs, contrasting it with earlier stories of exclusion.

Notable Quotes:

• “No one has ever done this before. Not my parents, siblings, husbands, other friends. No one.” —OP's touching reflection (73:06)
• “A genuine heartfelt hug has been shown to prolong life … we can all choose to be a light for others.” —Reddit comment (78:44)

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Notable Running Jokes & Callback Moments

• “B Room” vs “A Room” as friendship metaphors (06:57, 12:24, 82:10)
• “Gagged! I am on the floor. I am gagged.” (08:18, 10:11)
• “Is that Dina Pisciotti?” — evolving into a comedic character throughout (71:06, 73:26, 79:04)
• Shayne’s “Magic Room” birthday party solution (12:31)
• “Shoot your shot. Not all shots miss.” (59:10–59:27)
• Angela: “If someone shows you who they are, believe them.” (14:07)

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Episode Takeaways

• Friendship is messy, rewarding, and uniquely painful when it goes wrong—sometimes even more so than romance.
• Being “B List” or kept at arm’s length by a friend can be more hurtful than outright exclusion.
• Scorekeeping and friendship “tests” are red flags; real friendship is based on love, not transactions or manipulation.
• Miscommunications happen—especially when interpreting signals. Be honest, and don’t be ashamed of shooting your shot.
• Religious and groupthink behaviors can drive wedges between friends, but asserting your own boundaries is healthy and necessary.
• Small, sincere acts of joy—like a heartfelt hug—can have a profound impact.
• Everyone deserves friends who celebrate them—“Not all shots miss,” and sometimes, as in the supermarket, the love and connection catches you by surprise.

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Final Thoughts/Closing

Timestamps: 81:39–82:12
Shayne: “Thank you for joining me. And thank you for watching. Hug your friend.”
Angela & Amanda: “Hug your friend! Let’s go back to the B room...”

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This episode is a joyous, hilarious, and sometimes cathartic exploration of the bonds that keep us together—and a reminder to always appreciate the Dinas, not the Sarahs, in your life.

Transcript

[Shane]

Protein packed meals in 10 minutes. TikTok's got millions of them. Could you whip one up in under eight? Probably. But hey, it's not a race. Grab the recipes on TikTok and start cooking.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Angela]

Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Shane]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Angela]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Shane]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Hello and welcome to Reddit Stories. I'm Shane and this is our new set.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Shane]

Chocolate wrench.

[Amanda]

Chocolate wrench.

[Shane]

Chocolate wrench is there.

[Amanda]

They gave him armrests. They gave him arm.

[Shane]

I have armrests. For those who are listening, I have armrests.

[Amanda]

A mini Jeopardy.

[Angela]

Board.

[Amanda]

Look at those chonky pancakes chunks.

[Shane]

If you're a typical listener of the show, then sorry, I guess it's not very different. Maybe the acoustics are a little different for you. I don't know.

[Angela]

Well, does Shane sound more confident? Cause he's in a king chair right now.

[Shane]

I'm in a king chair. I'm in a much bigger chair.

[Angela]

He has, like, more back support and he has armrests.

[Shane]

I have armrests. It's awesome. I have a little pillow.

[Angela]

He has a cute little pillow.

[Shane]

Yep.

[Angela]

And look, you know, Ansel and I. Sorry. Ansel and I have a lot of sorry. I sat on this pillow.

[Amanda]

That pillow's name is Am I the asshole?

[Angela]

No, it's Am I the ass? And this is the hole. Hole.

[Shane]

We have a pillow named the. Anyways, before we continue about the set, I should intro that. This show is about friendship. The theme today is about friendship. And Smosh is all about friendship. And I am joined by two people who I can't stand.

[Angela]

Wow. Well, we hate you too. And that's why friendship is complicated, people.

[Shane]

That's what friendship is. So weird.

[Amanda]

You just make it work, huh?

[Shane]

I'm joined by Angela and Amanda. Thank you both for being here.

[Amanda]

Get your toucans out.

[Angela]

It's friendship always wins.

[Amanda]

Come on, Saturday morning. Call your bestie.

[Angela]

Well, we would not do well at Burlesque if we did this.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Angela]

Can you imagine? The show's like, yeah, Sexy, Sexy. And we're going. Come on.

[Amanda]

Anyone from Seattle?

[Angela]

Woo. Salt.

[Amanda]

Lake City, Utah.

[Shane]

In your life, what has had more drama Breath. Friendships or your romances?

[Angela]

Sisterhood.

[Amanda]

Friends.

[Shane]

Okay.

[Angela]

Whoa. Sisters weigh the most. Drama. Sisters. Friends. Okay, sisters, let's do this. Sisters. Friends are pretty close. Because if you have a friend that goes, oh, my God, you're like a sister to me, it can get real tricky fast.

[Amanda]

Wait, there's an old clip that I get tagged in constantly. And you and I barely know each other, and we're doing a challenge pit, and we're talking about friendship breakups. Or we're doing like a Agree to disagree. We're talking about friendship breakups versus romantic breakups. And I'm like, I'm the one that goes on the friendship breakup side. Being like, it's harder.

[Shane]

Oh, my God.

[Amanda]

And then. And then you go, yeah. And then I go. Because when you enter a friendship, there's never, like, the understanding that we'll might break up.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

But with relationships, you're always like, this could not work out.

[Angela]

This could happen. Right.

[Amanda]

So when friendship breakups happen, it's so brutal. And then you go, yeah.

[Angela]

And then we have really short hair. I remember this clip.

[Shane]

Cause I mean, like, yeah, like you said, you don't get into a friendship expecting it to end necessarily, or, like,

[Amanda]

expecting it not to work.

[Shane]

And friendships don't necessarily have to end. Like a relationship kind of if it's not working, it has to end. Right. Cause you have this agreement. You're so involved with each other's lives. But a friendship can be like, oh, we just don't see each other as often or whatever. There's no rules. There's not the same rules.

[Amanda]

And you're not like, going into it, like, with a promise. Cause also, I think relationships are always labeled just like, oh, it's hard work. Hard work. And friendship. It should be just like, oh, you're my friend.

[Angela]

You're my friend.

[Amanda]

It's fun.

[Angela]

But then sometimes you experience something together and you bond so deeply, and then you go. And then they show a side to them that you're like, uh, oh, yeah.

[Shane]

Also a friendship breakup, a romantic breakup can be like, I don't think we work together as a unit for whatever reason. But a friendship break breakup is typically, I don't want to see you.

[Angela]

Yes.

[Shane]

I don't like you. Like, that's so much more brutal than what a romantic break. A romantic breakup can be amicable.

[Angela]

Totally. You're. Honestly.

[Amanda]

Yeah. Sorry.

[Angela]

No, I'm. No, I'm sorry.

[Amanda]

No, I'm sorry.

[Shane]

I'm sorry, you guys.

[Amanda]

We're friends.

[Shane]

Are you?

[Angela]

No, no, we're not breaking up.

[Amanda]

We're not breaking up.

[Angela]

Okay. No, we're not breaking up. We have, we have, we have steady ground.

[Amanda]

We're here this morning when they were like. And Amanda and Angela will be in the friendship. When I went.

[Angela]

Is that right? Wait, hold on. I'm stacked in. And everyone's like.

[Amanda]

Everyone got so freaked out.

[Shane]

Funny. Anyways, friendships are hard. Friendships are hard.

[Angela]

Yeah. But they can be so rewarding.

[Shane]

Oh, absolutely.

[Amanda]

Oh, some of the best parts of life.

[Shane]

Well, let's hop into some messy friendships, shall we? Oh, the best part of life. Cause you know, that's what we're gonna read. Our first story comes from. Am I the asshole Am I the asshole for leaving my best friend's birthday party early because I was a B list guest? A B list guest at a birthday I'm interested of.

[Amanda]

There's tears.

[Angela]

Oh, they didn't sit at the VIP table.

[Amanda]

Ooh.

[Shane]

So this was posted only a few days ago. Throw away for privacy though this is a pretty specific incident and anyone who knows the situation will probably be able to identify me anyway. I, a 29 year old woman, have been good friends with Sally, a 30 year old woman, since we were 8 years old. We were inseparable throughout school, but we went to different colleges. I visited her a few times each year she'd visit me and we'd always meet up at Christmas and summer breaks. After we graduated, I moved about a three hour drive from where she moved to. We still caught up often, as normally happens. We established our new professional and social lives, drifted apart. But whenever we caught up, it was like no time had passed. We were there for each other whenever we needed it. When she got married at 25, I was a bridesmaid. I declined maid of honor because I was concerned with the law and I couldn't do all the maid of honor duties required expected. She drove to my place to support me when my father had a stroke. I stayed with her when she found out her ex husband cheated and she filed for divorce. I always figured that even though life is taking us in different directions, we're always there for each other. Now to her birthday. She turned 30 last week and had a huge party this past weekend. Since it was a milestone birthday, she had it at a banquet hall. All catered, dj, et cetera. It was at night, so I booked a hotel, drove up and would drive back home the next day. When I arrived, I was ushered into a small room with four tables and about 10 other people. There was a portable TV on a trolley with a stream of the party in the bigger room. One of the guests told me Sally invited more people than the main hall could accommodate, and she hoped after a few people RSVP'd no, we'd all fit in, but only one or two people RSVP'd no. So the venue opened a second room for the excess guests I saw in the stream new people arriving after I did. I knew I was clearly relegated to the B. Lister room and wasn't brought there because the main room was already filled up. So I left after 15 minutes and took my gift with me. The next day, as I was preparing to check out of the hotel, Sally called and asked why I didn't show. Apparently, she came to the leftovers room to mingle about 30 minutes after I left and noticed I wasn't there. I told her I did attend, but I didn't realize I'd be watching a stream of her party instead of attending it, which I could have done at home. She asked if I wanted to catch up for lunch and I could give her my gift then. But I told her I needed to get back home because I had plans for the afternoon. Cue the Instagram story about how people who claim to love her don't show up. And she can't help that so many people wanted to celebrate her. During my drive home, her mother left a voicemail that she was very disappointed in me. But I'm here. Like, I'm supposed to be one of your best friends and I got the leftover experience. Did I overreact? Am I the asshole here?

[Angela]

I gagged. I'm literally gagged, girl.

[Shane]

Gagged.

[Angela]

I'm gagged. I'm gagged. I am on the floor. I am gagged.

[Amanda]

I am gagging. I am over the toilet. I am barfing.

[Angela]

I am gagged. Throwing up.

[Amanda]

At the same time.

[Angela]

At the same time.

[Shane]

I have scarlet fever. I am dying.

[Angela]

The plague has hit me, girl. I am plague.

[Shane]

Nobody come close to me. I'm very contagious.

[Amanda]

I am contagious.

[Angela]

Gag. Wow. We could go on forever.

[Amanda]

Okay, can I tell you, growing up, if you didn't go to church on time and the main room got too big, you'd go to the other room and watch a video of the pastor in the other room.

[Angela]

That is wild.

[Amanda]

So, but here's the thing that made sense. Cause it's about lateness. It's about if you're late.

[Angela]

How dare you.

[Amanda]

And there's something to watch. A livestream video of a party.

[Angela]

And she didn't get chosen to be in the A list. She found out the type of, you know, tier that she was in as this woman's friend.

[Amanda]

But what is crazy about this to me is that this isn't inherently something you're watching. You know what I mean? I get it if it's like a musical and you're like, late and you have to like watch the stream, but you're watching people talk.

[Angela]

How dare this birthday girl think that she's that cool. Who would be happy with that?

[Shane]

Who? You have to sit in a room with 10 people that you don't know

[Angela]

and go, so you're not.

[Shane]

You're not at the party, to be clear.

[Amanda]

But you're watching.

[Angela]

You're in the building. You're in the building, but you're not at the party.

[Shane]

You're not at the party.

[Angela]

Oh, there. There she is hugging another friend.

[Amanda]

And then she came in 30 minutes in for them to kiss the ring.

[Angela]

She was like, oh, my God, you guys are here. I hope that they're feeding you guys in this room.

[Amanda]

She goes, did you see everybody else is in there.

[Shane]

Yeah, having a great time.

[Angela]

This person is not the asshole whatsoever. I actually love that they stood up for themselves and was like, I'm leaving and I'm taking my gift with me.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

Cause also, okay, so maybe, maybe I can get my head around a banquet hall being so strict that you can't go over the limit. Maybe. And then having a separate room. But where she enters asshole territory is when she didn't make it about who comes in and make it random. She made a separate list, a second tier friend list of people that she wouldn't miss if they're in the main.

[Angela]

Yes, queen.

[Amanda]

That's when we entered the whole territory.

[Angela]

And then she did a passive aggressive, rude ass Instagram story.

[Amanda]

That's crazy.

[Angela]

Like calling people out and then got her mom involved. I'm sorry, but you have crossed a line when you get. I mean, they've been friends since they were eight, so this is like a childhood friend. Mom. You got the mom involved to be like, I'm disappointed in you. Excuse a moi. Girly, girly, girly.

[Amanda]

Can you tell we've been on camera for eight hours today?

[Angela]

Excuse, Aunt Moi, I am French. So first of all, no, no, no, no, no.

[Amanda]

And second of all. And second of all, I am gacked.

[Angela]

I am so sick, throw up. I am.

[Amanda]

Honey, bring me to urgent care.

[Angela]

Get me a doctor's notice. Anything else, Shane?

[Amanda]

I think that about sums it up.

[Shane]

I was gonna say, I think the Friend is the asshole for putting anybody in that room.

[Angela]

I completely agree.

[Shane]

I understand that. Okay, you overbooked it. But, like, invite less people. Consider that shit. And if I walked into that room and saw, like, wait, you guys all have to sit in this room and not be part of the party? Like, oh, my God, you guys can leave. I'm so sorry. Like, I'd be. I'd walk into that room being so apologetic of, like, you don't get to attend the party.

[Angela]

So it means that she chose this as head of head, but she chose

[Shane]

them to be like, hey, you're in the not party room.

[Amanda]

The second she made a list and she named names is when it's like.

[Shane]

Cause this also isn't like a wedding where it's like, oh, people, like family and people who want, like, need to be at this wedding.

[Angela]

You're sitting at the back table.

[Shane]

It's a birthday. It's like, hey, sorry. Like, just don't invite those people.

[Amanda]

Or just go to a bar.

[Shane]

Like, don't invite those people. But if they're B list. But then you're gonna be so mad if they don't. Don't show up or leave.

[Amanda]

Ready? Here's what I'm doing. Here's what I'm doing. Do it. Banquet tells me I can't have certain amount of people in, and my list is big.

[Angela]

Okay. I go, you have a lot of friends.

[Amanda]

I go, mm, yeah.

[Angela]

Yeah, of course.

[Amanda]

And if you play your cards right, you'll be in anger.

[Angela]

Okay. I can't wait.

[Amanda]

I. We call one room the magic room.

[Angela]

Oh, fun, fun.

[Amanda]

Okay.

[Angela]

Fun, fun.

[Amanda]

So then every once. So during the party, every once in a while, you hand someone a star.

[Shane]

Oh.

[Amanda]

And they get to go to the magic room.

[Angela]

Oh, fun.

[Amanda]

And the magic room is for intense, personal conversations.

[Angela]

Right.

[Amanda]

And then every once in a while, you go magic hour. And you have to switch it up.

[Angela]

Yeah, of course.

[Shane]

I love that.

[Amanda]

And then you're hoping, who am I gonna go to the magic room with?

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

So maybe somebody. I don't know.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

And then it's kind of rotating.

[Angela]

Oh, I love that. So, like, you're not stuck in a room. You're actually rotating because a random person's gonna give you a star and say you're the hot one, and you get

[Amanda]

to go to the hot. Will you come to the magic room with me?

[Shane]

I like this. I like this.

[Amanda]

That's how I'm getting people in that room, and I'm switching it up.

[Shane]

Okay.

[Angela]

I would be okay with that. I'd Be like, cool, I get to the magic room and I get to be picked by Angela. It's so fun.

[Amanda]

Or I'd get like a tarot card reader, and I'd be like, do you want to go into the mindfulness room and get a fucking reading?

[Angela]

It's you and a guy named Rich.

[Shane]

And he's like, so you're the B list. This room's pretty magic. Yeah, it's the mindfulness room. We're not supposed to talk or, like,

[Amanda]

make it, like, I don't know, the dessert room.

[Angela]

So you're doing a good job. I'm trying.

[Amanda]

I'm pitching.

[Angela]

You're doing well. I think this woman didn't even think about that.

[Shane]

No, she's not thinking about shit. Which is. It's one thing too, that she's like, oh, I wasn't considering this. There's all these people in this leftovers room, which she put them there. But then to be mad if they leave and to be like, hey, you can meet up with me for lunch so you can give me your gift.

[Angela]

She does tell them.

[Shane]

I'm just like. And then to post a story about it being like, wow, people really let me down. It's like, bro, if you're gonna put these people in the B list shitty room, you can't be upset if they don't show up.

[Angela]

If someone shows you who they are, believe them.

[Amanda]

Gag.

[Shane]

Believe it. Gag, boy. This episode of Reddit Stories is sponsored by Factor. When I get home from a long day of filming, I always head straight to my fridge. I know I should make something healthy, but I don't have the time or patience to put anything together. Have you ever made a salad? There are so many things to chop up. Who has the time? That's why I eat Factor. Factor is a fully prepared meal made by chefs and dietitians that are delivered straight to your door. Factor bans 175plus ingredients, has no artificial colors or sweeteners, no high fructose corn syrup, and no refined seed oils. I recently had the truffle butter filet mignon, which came with roasted carrots. I was looking for more protein in my diet and this. Checked the box. From Asian to Mediterranean cuisine, I can never get bored. They have over 100 rotating weekly meals. I'm hungry just thinking about it. Head to FactorMeals.com PitReddit50OFF and use code PITPREDICT50OFF to get 50% off and free daily greens per box with new subscription only while supplies last until 9. 27, 2026. See website for more details. Now back to the show. Okay, verdict, not the asshole. Majority, not the asshole. There's not an official verdict yet.

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[Angela]

Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Shane]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Angela]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league. Anyways.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Shane]

Liberty. Liberty.

[Angela]

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[Shane]

Comments? Not the asshole. You don't overbook a party. You book a venue that can accommodate everyone. What the fuck? 6.7 thousand upvotes.

[Amanda]

Jesus.

[Shane]

Anyways, OP says, yeah, that's a weird and risky approach to take if the venue didn't have the extra room. Do you just turn friends and family away? Someone said, I'm sorry, y' all are 30 and the mom is calling to shame you beyond. Nope. Op said, her mom is like a second mom to me. I think it was more like her wanting a heart to heart with me. Someone said, not the asshole here. She had the nerve to ask you to go to lunch so you could give her your gift. Seriously, has she always treated you like this? Or is this the first time you truly noticed then for her mother to get in? Op, sometimes people grow, sometimes they don't. As we grow, we see that some relationships are not worth our time here on Earth. You just realize this. Best response, block them. Treasure the people who do invite you and don't usher you into a side room of the main event. Appreciate people that want you as a part of their lives.

[Angela]

I love the Reddit therapist. So glad he's back.

[Shane]

I love when those are the best friends. He's like, I've been working really hard today.

[Angela]

How much is he getting paid?

[Amanda]

Cause I always think it's A mom.

[Shane]

A lot of karma.

[Amanda]

A mother who wants to write a book, but she won't get around to it. They're so. She writes these big comments.

[Angela]

So.

[Amanda]

Right.

[Shane]

OP said, honestly, this is the first time she's acted like this. It's so far out of her normal behavior.

[Angela]

Does she have new friends who are out there?

[Shane]

She might have new friends.

[Amanda]

Okay, so I was gonna say this. Sometimes I wonder if you guys think this way sometimes.

[Shane]

Summer Summer Summertimes.

[Angela]

Good times with friends Summertimes

[Shane]

Good times with friends Summertimes Summertimes Summer, summer Summer

[Angela]

times all right, go ahead.

[Amanda]

Summertimes I think that my new friend. You feel so safe with the friends you grew up with. And you go, no matter what, they're not leaving. No matter what. They're always gonna be around. And your brain just goes, no matter what, they're here. Every year, I get older and older. So then the newer friends, you're like, I have to check on them. Cause those are new friends. So then old friends. Sometimes you're like, yeah, yeah. My birthday's tomorrow. You should have known that. You come every year. Is this about you?

[Angela]

Is this your birthday?

[Shane]

What's going on?

[Amanda]

If it was about me, I'd have a magic room.

[Angela]

Yeah, that's so true. It's so true.

[Shane]

Also, a banquet hall accommodates a lot of people, so.

[Angela]

Yeah. How many friends are we?

[Shane]

So you're walking into a room full of 10 people and watching a stream of a room with a hundred people.

[Angela]

That's so crazy. All you see are just butts.

[Shane]

It's just the camera's really low to the ground.

[Angela]

It's just a bunch of heels I

[Amanda]

think I would get. If I'm in a room, which I probably would be. I'd go up to. I think I would keep going up to the camera, going, like, who's watching this?

[Angela]

I have a feeling I'd be in B room, probably, and just. It's me and some other guy.

[Shane]

What's funny is I am someone at a party. I can get overwhelmed by just the crowd and the noise that I'd probably see B room. And I'd be like, what's that one? Oh, one where you can actually hear a conversation.

[Amanda]

Let's make the camera the B room.

[Shane]

Okay.

[Amanda]

Ready?

[Shane]

Okay.

[Angela]

Okay. You mean the A room.

[Amanda]

Oh, yeah, but you're pov. You're b.

[Angela]

A room.

[Shane]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Angela]

You mean a room.

[Shane]

Sorry. What are you trying to say? This is a room.

[Amanda]

This is the audience.

[Angela]

To feel like you're in a room. So this is a room.

[Shane]

The problem is from their perspective. There's three people in an empty room right now.

[Angela]

And it would be like this. It would be like this. It'd go, oh, my God. Melissa.

[Shane]

Oh, my gosh.

[Amanda]

How are you?

[Shane]

Dude? This is the best night ever.

[Amanda]

I bet this is gonna cut together perfectly.

[Shane]

Yeah. Why are you. What kind of dance are we doing?

[Amanda]

Okay, because I feel like you would

[Shane]

look in the camera and it would be like,

[Angela]

Hey, Mike, it's been a long time.

[Shane]

Oh, my God.

[Amanda]

Happy birthday to you.

[Angela]

Okay, that really helped me. My foot is on the hay pillow now.

[Shane]

For the people who are watching, they understand how awful this is.

[Angela]

Is there an update?

[Shane]

No.

[Angela]

What was the gift she was gonna give her?

[Shane]

I don't know.

[Angela]

Find out.

[Shane]

I'll keep it. Okay, moving on.

[Amanda]

That was cool. You're gonna be able to watch it and be like, I'm op.

[Shane]

I am OP now.

[Angela]

I'm OP Now.

[Shane]

I am OP now. Our next story comes from relationships. This was posted about a year ago, April of 2025. This is a 22 year old woman. Okay. My boyfriend, who's 22, keeps letting his friend, a 24 year old man, come on our dates.

[Angela]

Excuse me, that.

[Shane]

That's how it's written.

[Angela]

Sounds like a threesome.

[Shane]

No. Okay, so sorry. Her boyfriend lets his friend join them on their dates.

[Angela]

Oh, yeah.

[Amanda]

Hey, a table for three.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Angela]

Yikes.

[Amanda]

I do this with you in court. It's fine.

[Shane]

Yeah, yeah.

[Angela]

Oh, you just crashed their dates.

[Amanda]

I don't. I always make a joke about it, but.

[Shane]

Drew a table over.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Angela]

What did you say?

[Amanda]

But you're a table over.

[Shane]

But you're a table over. You're at the B table.

[Angela]

What'd you guys get for dinner?

[Amanda]

I go, What a day, huh?

[Shane]

Okay, how we got into this predicament in the first place is that my boyfriend just really likes his friend. We'll call him Liam. He's like a brother to him. He saved his life once, et cetera. But he's on all our dates. I even brought one of my single friends on a date so we could do a double date. And Liam and her don't date, so that failed. I've honestly asked my boyfriend why Liam is on our dates, and he says that Liam is lonely, has nobody else, and he has no siblings or girlfriend. But then my boyfriend kind of guilts me because I know this sounds awful. Liam is the fucking package for guilt. His mom died when he was young, then his dad and him don't talk anymore. So Liam just doesn't have anyone else to talk to. I honestly think my boyfriend is guilt tripping me and I don't think I can do this relationship anymore. If nothing changes, I'm leaving. This has gone on for three months. Like, sure, I feel bad for Liam, but I don't really know him and it's not my problem. It's also not just dates or movie nights that he's here, going to the mall, he's there. Where is he not? Also, I know this sounds made up. I still can't believe it, but it very much is real. And I basically just need validation that it's okay to break up with my boyfriend over this. This whole post edit. I called my soon to be ex boyfriend to meet up and I'm gonna break up with him. I'm gonna tell him the exact reason. Honestly, I. I swear. If Liam is there though, like, I'm not considering the possibility of not breaking up with him. It's not even just because of Liam. It's that he manipulates me into letting Liam come. Okay.

[Angela]

Okay.

[Shane]

So she's already made up her mind.

[Amanda]

Yeah. This is like when a friend, like, needs advice but just wants to talk it out.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Angela]

Are Liam and the boyfriend just friends?

[Amanda]

I was gonna ask that.

[Shane]

We have no context on that. I don't know. I've never heard of anything quite like this.

[Angela]

I will say I have definitely had a partner. They have had a friend where they're like, they're going through a lot, they're kind of lonely, like, can they join us? And I have had that. And sometimes it happens a little much where you're like, okay, blah, blah. But it definitely is like, it's a weird relationship between them and their friend. It's very tricky territory.

[Shane]

It could be that her boyfriend feels responsibility for Liam because he saved his life. Cause Liam saved his life. But also just like when you have a friend who's going through horrible shit.

[Angela]

The boyfriend. Liam saved the boyfriend's life. He was stuck out on the ice.

[Amanda]

You fucking loser.

[Angela]

No, I'm not.

[Shane]

Early on, it says he saved his life once.

[Angela]

I just made it the ice part because that's how I pick up the stuff he's like.

[Amanda]

So Liam was stuck in the ice?

[Angela]

No. So the boyfriend was stuck in the ice.

[Shane]

The boyfriend was stuck in the middle of the ice. It was cracking.

[Angela]

He was falling down and Liam, he grabbed.

[Amanda]

And Liam was in room B. Yeah,

[Angela]

he grabbed a rope and then he slid out. And then he did this and he pulled the boyfriend. Is this a reference to.

[Shane]

No, no, it's Just. It's any story where someone's.

[Angela]

This is just how my brain works.

[Shane]

This is probably from, like, five different books that Amanda's read.

[Angela]

This is just how my brain work. That's how I want to be saved.

[Shane]

And for our viewers and listeners, mind you, we're on story two right now, but.

[Angela]

Sorry, sorry.

[Amanda]

So he fell.

[Shane]

Stop.

[Angela]

Okay, sorry. Shane, you have the floor.

[Shane]

Let's go to some comments. It's okay to break up. You didn't sign up to be the third wheel in your own relationship. He can spend as much time with Liam as he wants as a single dude. Retweet, someone said, is your boyfriend afraid to spend time with you one on one? I think he's too young for a romantic relationship. It's more than just about his buddy. He's insecure and likes having his buddy for comfort.

[Angela]

Whoa, whoa.

[Amanda]

That's totally true. Interesting, because his friend's trauma doesn't feel, like, recent enough to be like, he needs somebody now.

[Angela]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Amanda]

That's what bugged me. But you're right. I couldn't.

[Shane]

You know, someone said before ending it, you are fully validated on doing so based on your post. Have you put your foot down? Why don't you plan dates and tell him his friend is not invited, period? OP said I have. But as I said in the past, he always, like, guilt trips me into letting him come. Saying this out loud kind of just made me realize he's manipulative.

[Angela]

Oh, okay. So it's more than that.

[Amanda]

Yeah. It feels like no matter what, if you're asking something of your partner and no matter what, they find a way to not honor that. That's. Besides any of that.

[Angela]

I'm so interested. It sounds to me like, yeah, he needs Liam as, like, a safety blanket, but there definitely feels like there's a disconnect between their connection op and the boyfriend connection.

[Shane]

100%.

[Angela]

Like, what are they doing when they're hanging and watching a movie, like, at their home or Liam's apartment or Liam's. Liam. Why do you want to be there, though?

[Shane]

I know.

[Amanda]

I think when you fall in ice so hard. Yeah.

[Angela]

No.

[Shane]

Someone picks you up, right?

[Angela]

Yeah, of course. And Liam maybe thinks that he has to save the boyfriend's life again.

[Shane]

Maybe. Update. Okay, okay, Here we go.

[Angela]

Oh, my God.

[Shane]

This was posted the same day. Cause she was on her way to break up with.

[Angela]

Yep, yep, yep.

[Shane]

I broke up with my ex. I'm gonna call him Xavier. I went to where we agreed to meet up, and guess who he brought with me.

[Amanda]

Shut the fuck up.

[Shane]

You guessed it, Liam.

[Angela]

Was it near an ice rink.

[Shane]

I was very annoyed at this point. I told him I wanted to speak with him privately, and he brings fucking Liam. It's very uncomfortable to break up with someone in front of their best friend, but I was too pissed. I told him. I said I wanted to speak privately, and he said, say it in front of Liam.

[Amanda]

What? Okay, so. Oh, okay. So Xavier's got stuff.

[Angela]

Xavier?

[Shane]

Yeah. Get out of here. Eventually I just get annoyed and say, that's it. I don't want Liam always here in our private life, on dates, everywhere. He basically said, remember what I told you about Liam's circumstance? Blah, blah, blah. I said something like, I'm sorry. I don't give a fuck about what Liam's going through right now. This is about me breaking up with you. Meanwhile, Liam is just standing there looking confused. I'll get back to this later. So we basically get into a fight in this park, and it gets to the point where I tell him that he manipulates me into not kicking Liam out of our dates. And about everything. He told me Liam went through like a brother to Xavier. Saved Xavier's life. Dead. Mom, dad, absent. No siblings, friends, or girlfriends. And then Xavier looks like he got caught or something, and Liam gets angry, saying, what did you tell her? This is all really funny and really awful at the same time. It turns out none of what Xavier told me was true. Liam has a fiance, has a real brother and sister, and his mom isn't dead.

[Amanda]

No.

[Angela]

Ow. I was here with you. She yelled in my ear. That's not good friendship.

[Shane]

Angela.

[Angela]

Keep going. Didn't even point. No, no. Cause Scott's used to it.

[Amanda]

He's got me on mute.

[Shane]

So, anyway, definitely broke up with Xavier. Like 40 minutes later. Liam DMs me basically saying that Xavier told Liam that I wasn't comfortable being alone with Xavier and that he thought I wanted him to be on the dates. Sir. What? He said the reason why he agreed is because his fiance is living in Europe to finish up her study abroad program and he had nothing better to do. So Xavier just flat out is a liar. Glad I broke up with him. Mad I got lied to, but. Oh, well. This was honestly not a turn of events I was expecting, and I have to get it out somewhere.

[Angela]

Wait, what? This is so savior. Xavier. Whatever was saved on the ice. So he was uncomfortable with his girlfriend.

[Shane]

He didn't want to be alone with his girlfriend, so he lied to both of them.

[Angela]

Why didn't he want to Be alone with his girlfriend.

[Shane]

There's a lot to unpack with Xavier. I think Xavier's an interesting.

[Amanda]

I don't think Xavier's ready to date.

[Shane]

I don't think Xavier. I don't know what Xavier's ready to date. He lied. I don't know what he's ready for.

[Angela]

He lied about everything that Liam went through. I wonder if Liam's still friends with him.

[Shane]

Dude, if I found out someone was telling lies like that, I'd be like, hey, man.

[Angela]

So Liam's gonna.

[Shane]

Maybe I'm gonna take a break too.

[Amanda]

If people are making lies up about me being like, I'm sorry. She has to come. Her dad's dead. And I'm like, he's alive.

[Shane]

What? Yeah. I would be so uncomfortable.

[Angela]

This is. This is really intense and weird. I don't know if you guys had this, but, like, this reminds me of, like, in middle school, I had a boyfriend that I was so scared to run into. Like, wait, you had a boyfriend that you were scared in front of? I was in middle school, so I,

[Shane]

I, I, I can relate. The first. I can relate to that. In middle school, the first girl I ever asked out, I was terrified. Wait, so it's like I was like, I have no fucking clue what I'm doing.

[Angela]

I do get that.

[Amanda]

That is so relatable. There's actually a story. In elementary school, a guy liked me, and I literally would cry if I was near her.

[Angela]

Yeah, but this person is 22, right?

[Amanda]

Cause you're not used to the pressure.

[Shane]

Yeah, but he's 22. Okay, but to be clear, he's 22.

[Angela]

He's 22.

[Amanda]

Scott, stop.

[Angela]

You're not used to the pressure.

[Amanda]

Well, when you're little and you're just like, they like me.

[Shane]

I understand. I understand what you're saying.

[Angela]

Maybe there's something wrong with me. Cause I would seek them out. I'd be like, where are they? They're down the hallway. Oh, there they are.

[Shane]

Baby. Amanda. Amanda, who is five' ten in second grade.

[Amanda]

Where were they?

[Angela]

Straight up.

[Shane]

Where are you going?

[Angela]

They were like, hey, do you guys hear that noise? It was like, boom, boom, boom.

[Shane]

Where's my boyfriend? Where's little Mario? I smell him.

[Angela]

He said he had a garage.

[Shane]

I smell him.

[Angela]

I see his backpack. Where is he?

[Amanda]

I see.

[Angela]

Stop. I wasn't like that. That's crazy. You guys are sick. Not me.

[Shane]

Jason, recess isn't over yet. I know, I know.

[Angela]

Can I just hide out here for, like, 40 hours?

[Shane]

Why? Are you a school nurse?

[Angela]

Yeah. Jason,

[Shane]

can you Send me to the principal's office. Hey, J.J. and Jason's like, can I

[Amanda]

just stand here for, like, 10 more minutes, please?

[Shane]

Aw, Mommy wants a kissy.

[Amanda]

For some reason, I said I had a crush on her. Cause I thought her hair was beautiful. But I didn't know her vibes were like this.

[Angela]

Listen, I was really cool and very chill.

[Amanda]

You do what you need to do.

[Shane]

You don't need to talk to them. I'm gonna talk to them. No. It does remind me, though, the first girl I ever asked out, it was in seventh grade. And I had such a crush on this girl. And I had a crush on her for so long, like, months. And then I was just. I finally, like, had the courage. I was like, oh, do you wanna be my girlfriend? And she's like, oh, yeah. And then I was like, I have no clue what to do now. It's so true. I was like, what do I do now? What happens now? You feel no idea. And it was just a weird week. And then it was like. I think one of her friends was like, yeah, I don't think she wants to be here. And I was like. I remember being relieved. I was like, me too. I don't know what we're doing. We didn't kiss. We barely, like, hugged. I was just like. We just kind of had a title for a bit.

[Angela]

Oh, God.

[Amanda]

In church, we would only do group hangs. So if you were hanging out or, like, kind of dating somebody, it was in a group. It was never one on one. And then one on one, you're like,

[Angela]

uh, you guys are crazy. I'm like, one on one. Let's kiss for a long time.

[Shane]

Okay, we have a little bit of an update in a comment.

[Amanda]

Okay.

[Angela]

Okay.

[Shane]

Did he, Xavier, ever explain why he did it? Are you still in touch with Liam? What is Liam's take on what happened? This was a little bit later, right? This was like a few. Like, a couple weeks later.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Shane]

OP responded. He never explained to Liam or me why he did it. But the vibe I'm getting from what Liam has told me, and my own feelings on the matter are that he was trying to frame Liam into looking like Liam was on the dates with me. So Xavier can show Liam's girlfriend photos or something. To break up with Liam and his girlfriend. That's the second runner up. I personally think that Xavier just did it for a sick game or something. As perfect as it would have been for Xavier to be gay for Liam. Sadly, I don't think that's the case. But who knows? Honestly, me And Liam have talked every once in a while the past few days, but I'm definitely not friends with him. I'm not really sure if I can trust him. I don't know enough about Liam to know he is not a pot stirrer himself. Liam was definitely kept in the dark about a lot of things, so it's not his fault or anything, but I just don't know the friendship I walked into. Based on what Liam said, he feels baffled. When this topic first came up, he said he wouldn't know why Xavier would do something like this, but a tiny bit of him is not really surprised. I don't know what he did before that to be not surprised because Liam never really gave me a straight answer. What I can take out of it is that he is really curious about Xavier's intention. Hopefully this can answer any questions you might have and if anything else needs more clearing up, you can ask. We have nothing more.

[Angela]

I'd love to ask, but I really. Okay, so Xavier possibly wanted Liam to get caught in a photo with his girlfriend to make Liam's girlfriend fiance mad. Okay. Yeah.

[Shane]

Okay. There's not really a good version of it.

[Amanda]

You could be scared, bro.

[Shane]

You're less than scared.

[Angela]

Let's just say you're scared. This feels.

[Shane]

It's. The problem with lying is that I'm just like, well, what are your intentions? But I can't trust your answer.

[Angela]

That's a weird one.

[Shane]

Yeah, super weird.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Shane]

Anyways. Anyways, moving on.

[Angela]

Okay.

[Shane]

This episode of Red Stories is also sponsored by Wayfair. Look, I'm a man who loves some balcony time, and my outdoor space was overdue for an upgrade. I had uncomfortable plastic chairs, flower pots that were cracked, and faded balcony lights that weren't working. It was a mess. I think thought, I want to enjoy being outdoors. What am I doing? Well, I knew exactly where I was going to look. Wayfair. Wayfair has so many options, so I could find something that fit my style. From vibrant colors to neutrals, there are loads of options. And with over 20 million verified 5 star reviews, I get an accurate depiction of what I'm about to purchase. I love that everything is in one place. Outdoor seating, major appliances, storage, patio lighting. I can even get a grill. Well, adding that to my wish list, my balcony looks amazing. Delivery was a breeze. And setup and installation wasn't difficult because Wayfair offers assembly services. I saved so much time, which means more time enjoying the outdoors. Get prepped for patio season. For way less. Head to Wayfair.com right now. To shop all things home. That's W-A-Y-F-A-I-R.com Wayfair Every style, every Home

[Angela]

Wayfair Every Style Every Home.

[Shane]

Our next post comes from Am I the asshole? Posted Apr 20:26am I the asshole for leaving my friend at a restaurant after she tested me

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

and Doug? There's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Angela]

Hey everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this your first date?

[Shane]

Oh no.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Angela]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Shane]

Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Ever walk past

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

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[Shane]

At apartments.com you can. With tools like their 3D virtual tours, you can see the exact unit you

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

could be living in. Really envision yourself in your new home with Apartments.com, the place to find a place.

[Shane]

We got a friendship test. Here we go.

[Angela]

Love it.

[Shane]

Throw away because a lot of my friends are on here. So I, a 23 year old woman, have a close friend, a 24 year old woman who we'll call Stella, who has this really annoying habit of doing little things to test our friendship.

[Amanda]

Ooh.

[Angela]

Uh oh.

[Shane]

She'll say stuff like I just wanted to see if you'd notice I was upset. Oh, or I wanted to see if you would drop what you were doing to help me. This really pisses me off and I've told her before that I would really love it if she stopped doing that and just talked to me openly if something was bothering her. Last weekend we went out to dinner with two friends. At the end we asked for separate checks. When it came to me, I noticed they had charged me for one of Stella's drinks. She had already paid, so I decided not to say anything because I didn't want to complicate everything for the staff. I figured I would just bring it up later. After dinner, while we were saying bye, I quickly mentioned to Stella that one of her drinks had been charged to my bill and that I thought she had overlooked it. I said it really nicely and pretty offhandedly. However, after I told her that Stella suddenly got really cold and just said, oh, I'm a really awkward person and don't know how to handle people when they're being rude or standoffish, so I kind of let it slide. Later that night, she texted me saying she felt I had been acting selfishly and that she didn't feel appreciated in our friendship despite her doing so much for me. She said she had noticed the drink wasn't charged to her and waited to see whether I would offer to cover it since she had helped me move into my new apartment two months ago. Oh, I understand wanting to be appreciated, but I was honestly really annoyed. I don't think it's healthy to help your friends and expect something in return that feels really transactional. I told her that if she wanted me to buy her a drink as a thank you for helping me move, it would have been better to say so two months ago. Instead, this turned something small into some arbitrary test of friendship. She replied that it shouldn't have to fall on her to keep reminding me. To show basic appreciation, we decided to meet for brunch the next day to talk it out in person. I got there first and ordered a coffee. However, before I could even really say anything, she immediately started telling me how she hoped I had thought more about my actions. At that point, I just couldn't. Couldn't do it anymore. I was so frustrated that any attempt at having a productive conversation turned into me somehow being the villain. I just stood up, paid for my coffee, and left. I texted her afterwards saying that I was done participating in her little tests and that I can't be friends with someone who isn't willing to communicate like an adult. I just don't know how I can make her understand that she needs to stop testing people quite literally. Am I the asshole? There's an edit. I'm actually someone who hesitates to ask people for help because I hate inconveniencing others. So I didn't ask her to help me. She volunteered to do it herself. And even then it wasn't anything too crazy like big furniture, just boxes I needed to transport over from my storage unit, which I was originally planning on doing myself anyway. And yes, I of course bought takeout for us after because I still would have felt really shitty taking advantage of someone even if they offered to help. Now I'm thinking maybe to her it felt like something I would have done anyway on a random hangout and didn't necessarily feel like an explicit thanks, which I verbally said. Of course I don't know, but overall, I Feel like the whole situation was literally nothing significant to begin with. So I have no idea how we got here. Thank you to everyone who shared their own experiences. You've all definitely helped me get some clarity on the whole situation. I think I just started questioning whether I had been too emotional at the time and should have given her some grace. But it's definitely taxing being her friend in the long run, and I genuinely can't do it anymore.

[Amanda]

Same.

[Shane]

Whoa. Oh, my God.

[Angela]

I am exhausted. Okay.

[Amanda]

That was exhausting. That wasn't funny. That wasn't interesting. That sucks. That's just a bummer, dude.

[Angela]

It sounds like this girl literally does things for other people just to be like, remember when I did that thing for you?

[Shane]

Oh, my God.

[Angela]

Those are red flag friends.

[Amanda]

It's manipulative.

[Angela]

You can't have them.

[Shane]

Yeah. People who keep track of shit and hold it over you. It's so exhausting. And I think there's the degree, I'm sure, within a lot of us where we're like, you keep track of things in the. Am I being taken? Like, is this person taking advantage of me?

[Angela]

Right.

[Shane]

Like, I get that. And that is the case sometimes. But there are so many people out there who. It's like, oh, like, when you volunteer to do something and then use that as a chip against them.

[Angela]

And she got her takeout. Like, girl, what more do you want?

[Amanda]

Cancels out.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Shane]

I also am. If we're gonna get into that nature, and I am not this type, but if you are gonna get into there, it's like, oh. Like, if you help someone move, the only expectation that I think I would justify is if later on they're moving. And it's like, of an equal caliber of just like, hey. But it's not a transaction. It should just be like, hey, we're friends and we have each other's back when we need each other. Not, I did this. Therefore, we need to do this.

[Amanda]

She not only tests her, but she's keeping score.

[Shane]

Yes.

[Amanda]

And that's the keeping score.

[Shane]

That's really nice.

[Amanda]

And, like, I remember I had a friend in college that would do really nice things.

[Angela]

Oof.

[Amanda]

And I never, like, saw it that straightforward, but then it took me a while to be like, oh, when she does this stuff that I don't ask for, it kind of makes me forgive her for stuff that she doesn't do.

[Angela]

And that is. I think that that is actually a tactic, whether these people know it or not.

[Amanda]

She's like, oh, if I drench her, it's a Little bit of love bombing, but like, kindness bombing being like, I'm gonna help you with your move. And now you owe me one. And it's like, I didn't.

[Angela]

And they get you really lavish birthday gifts that you're like, whoa, this is so nice. And then their birthday comes around and you're. And you're like, oh, God, what do I have to do?

[Shane]

Right? They put you in a bind. It's controlling. It's a very specific type of control.

[Amanda]

I'm a gift giver and sometimes I overdo it. Cause I love gift giving. No, but then I'm thinking about doing something without, like, making some. You could tell the heart behind a gift being like, I want you to have it. Cause I love you.

[Angela]

I don't feel anxiety when you give me gifts. When you give me gifts, I'm like, oh, my God, this is so great.

[Amanda]

No, but what I'm saying is, like, there's a difference. Different energy when someone gives you a gift cause they want something in return.

[Shane]

I agree.

[Angela]

But I know that you really, really like this thing. So I got it for you.

[Amanda]

I just.

[Shane]

It's an instinctive thing.

[Angela]

And then they tally something and they go.

[Amanda]

And you're like, God, that. That made you feel a little bit higher than me. And it was just boxes.

[Shane]

Yes, absolutely. Yeah. No, Angela, I feel like we all know. Cause I feel like you'll give a great gift, but then you'll be like, oh, yeah, but it's whatever, it's fine.

[Angela]

Yeah, absolutely. And then I give a gift to

[Shane]

you, it's literally nothing. And I don't. And don't even talk to me.

[Amanda]

I want you to make you feel uncomfortable.

[Shane]

I'm actually leaving. And don't ever talk to me again.

[Amanda]

I'm actually, like, moving.

[Angela]

Don't see me.

[Shane]

I'm actually moving to another country, so don't ever talk to me.

[Amanda]

So I tripped and fell on this gift for you. I'm just gonna hand it to you.

[Shane]

Something that really is tough for me is I'm not someone. I don't keep score. And therefore, I honestly don't remember what I do for people sometimes. I don't wanna brag about that. But people who keep score will be like, I did all this and what did you do for me? And I'm just like, I'm not thinking about that. Yeah, when people are like, oh, I did that for you last year. It's like, no, you're thinking about that.

[Amanda]

Doing anything. That's a giving mentality. Like, even buying a drink for someone Doing any of that with an ulterior motive is always gonna bring a little different to me.

[Angela]

I really wonder if this person's family life had that included if her mom went on trips and it's just like, how dare you do this thing because we just went on a trip.

[Amanda]

Or like, that is so.

[Angela]

Do you know what I mean? It might be like parents parenting or. Or sibling.

[Shane]

It could have been a learned behavior.

[Amanda]

No, for sure. I grew up around a lot of that too.

[Angela]

I grew up around a lot.

[Amanda]

But look how good you have it.

[Shane]

I think it's very common. I do think it's a very common thing, but it's something like, you gotta check in yourself a little bit.

[Amanda]

Yeah. And also it makes me feel bad for the person who's testing because you can't just stand up for yourself. I know. It's more vulnerable to be like, I don't feel loved by you.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

So I have to trap you into doing it and then go put the lights on, Ashton Kutcher. Come out. You don't love me. And it's like you just saying you don't feel that way is enough to the right people.

[Angela]

Which is what I think OP was asking for. OP was like, listen, that hurt my feelings. Let's get coffee. And then Stella just completely derailed it. So she was like, okay, if we can't communicate like adults, saying like, hey, I moved you. And I actually felt like I really needed a little bit more. Then it was like, okay, clear. I'm not able to give that to you. But instead she traps them and then tests them and forces that. It's scary.

[Amanda]

It's so much better when friends care about you in response and you don't have to trap them into doing it.

[Angela]

Yeah, exactly.

[Shane]

Verdict is not the asshole comments. Not the asshole. Tell her that the brunch was a test to see if she could communicate like an adult without playing mind games and guilt tripping. And she failed 16,000 upvotes.

[Angela]

Whoa.

[Shane]

Someone said, she sounds exhausting. Drop people that are energy vampires from your law. Someone said. Okay, first off, I 36 year old woman have been there before and I'll cut to the chase quickly. Let go of that friend, no matter how much it hurts. Friend breakups suck. Or how much other friends will say, you're being unreasonable. Let it go. It isn't worth being friends with someone who expects you to guess their moods and act accordingly. It also isn't worth constantly feeling like a bad friend so you end up overcompensating later. Trust me. It isn't worth it. I also want to stress that this isn't about communication. It's 100% about control. Yes, there may be a hole this friend is trying to fill that. That you just can't, no matter how hard you try. And the more you try, the worse it will get. You are not the asshole.

[Amanda]

100%.

[Angela]

Okay. I like her. She's a good therapist.

[Shane]

Reddit therapist, to a certain degree. Cause I've heard of people being in situations where you have a friend who constantly is guilting you, constantly making you feel like you're not doing enough for them and stuff. And at a certain point, it's just like, hey, man, I guess I'm not a good enough friend for you. I guess we should not be friends.

[Angela]

Do you wish you could say that to yourself back in the day and go, hey, drop this friend? But no, you go through this, they get you to a point where you feel so totally crazy, and you actually. I don't know if you've ever had a friend to be like, oh, well, you're not gonna be good without me.

[Amanda]

Oh.

[Angela]

Or like, you'll never make it without me. And you've had so much time with them that you're broken down to a place where you really believe it. It's like you look back on those friendships and you're like, whoa.

[Amanda]

Unfortunately, what sucks about it is growing up is you do. Like, your brain is so much smaller when you have only a couple friends. You're like, oh, I can only feel this way with this person. And the more older you get, the more you're like, oh. And then when friendships feel easier, it just takes them feeling harder for you to recognize. Oh, that was so easy to talk to you and just be like, hey, you know what I mean?

[Angela]

To immediately have healthy boundaries with a friend, it's just like. Like unreal. And it's possible. That's the other thing is, like, when you're. Yeah. When you only have a few friends, you're just like, oh, my God. To have a friend that already has boundaries. How nice is that?

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

Or like, just like growing up, it's like, who's in your class at school? Those are your friend options. Right? And you don't really have the, like. And then as an adult, you go, whoa, I can kind of curve my time. I can decide who I want to be with and who I don't.

[Angela]

Isn't that crazy when you give yourself that permission?

[Amanda]

I know, but growing up, you're like, well, well, we're in math Class together.

[Shane]

So.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Angela]

Well, good on op for just.

[Shane]

Yeah. Indeed. Our next story comes from today. I fucked up.

[Angela]

Okay.

[Amanda]

Yay.

[Angela]

Yay.

[Shane]

Posted in March of this year, 2026. Today, I fucked up by kissing my friend because I was 100% sure he was about to kiss me first. Ooh.

[Angela]

Ooh, this is. This is fun.

[Amanda]

Ooh, you're friends.

[Angela]

Ooh, you're friends and you kissed.

[Shane]

This happened three days ago, and I want to move to a different country. There's this guy in my friend group. We've been friends for, like, a year and a half. Nothing weird, except lately it felt like something shifted. Or I thought it did. He was texting more, finding reasons to sit next to me. Did this thing where he'd fix my hood when it was half stuck in my jacket collar, which is like, who does that platonically? Who? So last Friday, we're at a pre game at our mutual friend's place. It gets late, people leave, and it's just me and him on the couch close, talking about nothing. And he gets this look on his face. Kind of soft, kind of serious. Oh, no. Leaning slightly and going quiet mid sentence. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. I kissed him. He did not kiss me back.

[Amanda]

Oh, God.

[Shane]

Not like he pushed me away. He. He just froze and then pulled back a little and did this sharp exhale and said, o. One syllable. O. Oh. I wanted to dissolve into the couch cushions and become part of the furniture forever. Turns out he was about to tell me that he likes my friend.

[Amanda]

Oh, no.

[Angela]

Crushing. That is crushing.

[Amanda]

Gag.

[Shane]

Dead.

[Amanda]

Scarlet fever. On the ground.

[Angela]

Bubonic plague. Bubonic, Bubonic. The plague has hit the town.

[Shane]

He wanted my advice and was working up the nerve. That was the look. That was the quiet. He was nervous about talking about her. I had to sit there for another 40 minutes because I couldn't leave without making it weirder. We both pretended to watch something on his phone. I don't know what it was. I was not processing visual information at that point. He texted me the next day, like, hey, are you okay? And I said, yeah, lol and have not opened anything since. I have to see him Friday. Same friend group. They will be there. I am not okay.

[Angela]

Aw, it's really sweet that he texted, are you okay?

[Shane]

I know.

[Amanda]

See, I think that's sweet, but I also would hate him for it.

[Angela]

Why?

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Angela]

Cause you were like, don't be nice to me.

[Amanda]

I don't know. It's like you fall on your face, and he goes Oof. You good? Then he checks and say, you fell real hard.

[Angela]

Huh?

[Amanda]

I don't know. It's like, embarrassing, but it's sweet. It's sweet. It's a nice guy.

[Shane]

This is.

[Angela]

I don't know him, actually. He did not know. I get it.

[Amanda]

He's your brother. It's nice.

[Angela]

Okay, well, I don't have a brother.

[Shane]

This is like the start of a pilot. I feel like it really is. This is like the start of a protagonist's story. Cause I'm like, man, that type of twisting of the heart of just like, oh, this person you like so much. And they're like, oh, you get so vulnerable. And they're like, no, I actually like your friend. Which is. There's Nobody's doing anything wrong. Nobody's wronged her. But that is so devastating.

[Angela]

But in, like, every rom com or whatever, that actually works out. And so when it doesn't, it's like, oh, no. And then that smash cut to title, this is her story.

[Amanda]

No, the friends to lovers thing. We've watched it a little too much

[Angela]

where we're just like. You're like.

[Amanda]

Well, you know, like, they're like, hey, whoa, hey.

[Shane]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Amanda]

In the games video we just did, Amanda and Chance got really close to kissing.

[Shane]

Really?

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

And she. Are you feeling okay about it?

[Shane]

Yeah. Are you all right?

[Angela]

Yeah, it was like, crazy. We, like, really almost Frenched.

[Amanda]

What about something that's a nightmare to me is like, how sometimes having a crush gets your brain being like, they're sitting next to me. They love me.

[Angela]

Oh, yeah.

[Amanda]

Yeah, you're so right. And it's kind of so horrifying. It's okay.

[Angela]

The pillow just, like, shed on you.

[Shane]

He wants to kiss you.

[Angela]

Yeah, the pillow wants to kiss.

[Amanda]

But it's like, that's what's so scary. It's like. Cause I was like, oh, did this guy do something wrong by hanging out with her one on one late at night after drinking and just, like, kind of talking to her? But I'm like, no, he didn't do anything wrong. But she interpreted it like he liked her back.

[Angela]

Okay, but has it ever happened to you where, like, role reversal, where you've been the person, like, going out with a friend and you're like. And they're about to drop you off and you're like, okay, yeah. Like, that was so much fun. And then they lean in for a kiss. Has that ever happened to you? No.

[Amanda]

Has that happened to you?

[Shane]

Mm.

[Amanda]

Oh, my God. I have had it with men where they, like, think, like, I was hanging out with someone and they thought it was a date. And I was like, oh, I thought we were getting coffee. Yeah, I didn't think it was like.

[Angela]

So I think it can get confusing. Cause I think it's very easy if you like the person. It's very easy to see exactly what you said. These moments of like, I hate when I do this. Whatever. These moments where they say yes to something or they like are dropping you off or they're like getting a little bit close and you're like, oh my God, it's happening, but the other person is just like, yeah, this is a good spot. It's comfy.

[Shane]

There's nothing about it.

[Amanda]

It's so scary. And I don't know how you navigate it.

[Angela]

Yeah, what is she gonna do?

[Shane]

I have no idea.

[Angela]

Whoa, wait, wait a second. Do we know anything? So. So he said he likes the friend. I wonder, is she really good friends with the friend or that friend's just like part of the friend group? I don't know.

[Shane]

Oh, like how close of a friend is?

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Shane]

Cause then does she explain it's gotta be like a close friend. It's gotta be like.

[Amanda]

And they're all hanging out again.

[Shane]

It's gotta be the most devastating comments. Talk to him. Don't brush it off and act cool. Really talk to him. There's a 99% chance that he also has no idea how to navigate this and he's just as embarrassed or confused as you. Tell him it was a spur of the moment thought that you acted on because you think he's cute or whatever and you misread the situation. Let him react from there. Don't self sabotage and be like, it was nothing. I don't actually like you. Ha. Put the ball on his side of the court and see what he does. 8,000 upvotes. Someone said, the best is if you explain to him the misunderstanding. If he really is your friend, he will understand. Try to joke it off or eventually apologize. I also recommend learning the difference between care and light. No big deal. No worries. It happens to the best of us. I'm still learning too. For example, fixing the hood is actually showing care to one another. Not necessarily platonic, but for now, try to talk to him about it.

[Angela]

No, if someone went like this, hey, your hood.

[Shane]

Well, I don't know if he's doing that also well.

[Angela]

Well, let's see.

[Amanda]

It's a desert out here. The difference between care and love.

[Angela]

Yeah, come on.

[Amanda]

Fucking trying to get.

[Angela]

If someone fixes your tag, you're like, what's your name?

[Amanda]

You're like, oh, my God. Kindness.

[Angela]

We live in America. What?

[Amanda]

Like, my goodness. We can't. You can't. Sometimes people do things.

[Angela]

Kindness and love. Like, guys, it's a blurred line.

[Amanda]

That's like someone getting mist on them and going, that's not water.

[Angela]

Whoa. What an interesting example.

[Shane]

Whoa. Okay.

[Angela]

Someone's getting mist on you.

[Amanda]

Don't repeat it.

[Shane]

That's not water.

[Angela]

Hey, don't do what Op's gonna do. You gotta face it, girl.

[Amanda]

I don't wanna face it.

[Shane]

Gotta get misted.

[Angela]

You're gonna get misted.

[Amanda]

Can I say something?

[Angela]

I want to see if you guys are listening. Don't test us, Stella.

[Amanda]

Cause sometimes I think you guys zoned me out and I wanted to see.

[Angela]

I definitely don't zone you out. I literally heard you say missed, and I went, what?

[Shane]

We both turned to you and asked what? You just said.

[Angela]

Yes.

[Amanda]

So I'm glad. I'm glad.

[Shane]

Okay. Op said the hood thing was not nothing. I stand by that. My friend I told said, yeah, that's flirty behavior. So I was not completely delusional. I was maybe 30% delusional. LOL. I keep replaying the O and I think about it, and my stomach just drops every time. One syllable. He could not even finish a word. I don't know how to walk into Friday and look normal. I don't know what my face is going to do.

[Angela]

Can I also say something? Beware of friends sometimes in this scenario, because sometimes you'll be like, oh, my God, he did this thing. They're like, oh, my God, he loves.

[Shane]

They want to be supportive.

[Angela]

They want to be supportive. So they do actually support you in, like, not the right direction. But that's why you got to be

[Amanda]

like, well, what do you mean?

[Angela]

When I get kissed on my face,

[Amanda]

I missed his walk.

[Shane]

If they've been friends for a long time, too, the line is very confusing and weird. Very confused. And I do think, like, she went straight for going in for a kiss. When maybe it's like, you could put out feelers in a different way of being.

[Angela]

Like, hey, like, there are smaller feelers.

[Shane]

We're friends. Finding another simpler route. Cause once you do the kiss, it's like you're in.

[Amanda]

Yeah. Maybe be like missy and see if they missed.

[Angela]

Missed you, missed you. And then go like this.

[Amanda]

Oh, I think I would be, like, toxic. Like, middle school. Angela would be like, do you have any crushes right now?

[Angela]

Is there someone that you're really into right now?

[Shane]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Angela]

Or you just Go like this.

[Amanda]

No, I'm not making a physical motion. I'm being like, oh, I'm going, what does your heart feel? Oh, so that's, I'm not being like. Or like arms. No.

[Shane]

Yeah, yeah. Get on an electric scooter and go really slow and be like, oh, no. If you're standing right in front of me, I might accidentally kiss. You better get out of the way. Get out of the way.

[Angela]

If there was someone that you could kiss in this room right now, who would it be?

[Shane]

That's a pitch that I've had. I've pitched this to Smosh. It's called kiss jousting. And two people get on electric scooters and they are blindfolded and they try.

[Angela]

You're gonna fucking knock your teeth that hard.

[Shane]

You try very slowly.

[Amanda]

From the producers of who Slapped Me. It's kiss jousting.

[Angela]

Yeah. And then Shane is also blindfolded. He goes, okay, I'm guessing who's jousting right now.

[Shane]

He's kissing.

[Angela]

Okay. That felt like an Angela kiss.

[Amanda]

It feels like if Amanda was on a scooter, it would sound like she was moving really fast.

[Angela]

Yeah. What if someone goes fast? That's gonna hurt him.

[Amanda]

What the fuck are you talk.

[Angela]

So you're, you watch a night tail

[Amanda]

like we're trying to kiss.

[Shane]

Okay. But going very slowly like this. This just.

[Amanda]

We can't even light a candle in here without getting safe.

[Shane]

That's true. You're right. You're right, we can't because we're gonna

[Amanda]

have two motor operated.

[Shane]

If you wanna have a birthday, you gotta go to the B room. Okay, let's switch that last comment. Someone said people send mixed signals all the time. Sometimes completely by accident. People misread signals all the time. People act on those mixed signals and misinterpretations all the time. You are human. Humans are going to be human. You'll be okay.

[Angela]

Human.

[Shane]

Thanks.

[Amanda]

Thanks, commenter.

[Shane]

It's so true. I mean, this is such like, real shit. But it's painful.

[Angela]

Oh yeah, it's painful. But this person will absolutely be okay. We've all kind of been there in a way.

[Amanda]

And now you got one. You did that. That's your big crazy story.

[Shane]

You'll survive. Hey, I also think you'll always have that story. Like I, I, it's like, oh, you fucked up, whatever, blah, blah, blah. Whenever I hear about someone like shooting their shot, I'm just like, yeah, man, good job.

[Angela]

Shoot your shot.

[Shane]

Cause better to do that than to not.

[Amanda]

Not all shots miss.

[Shane]

I've heard that

[Angela]

miss.

[Shane]

Not all shots missed.

[Amanda]

Not all shots missed.

[Shane]

We should take you to a basketball court and see how many shots you miss.

[Angela]

Not all shots missed.

[Shane]

Not all shots missed. And it's this like challenge pit and it's nine more shots missed. It's like Angela has missed 500 shots.

[Amanda]

And in the background you guys are on Scooter Shining.

[Shane]

This episode of Reddit Stories is also sponsored by zocdoc. This spring, my allergies have been flaring up. Tree pollen, flower pollen, dust pollen. My poor nose is going through it. Sometimes my allergies are so bad that I think I might have a cold and I don't want to get my castmates sick. That's why I use Zox. ZocDoc is a free app and website that helps you find and book high quality in network doctors so you can find someone you love. I love that I can select an in person visit or a video visit. Zocdoc works with my schedule and I can find exactly what I need. With 200 plus specialties offered at Zocdoc, I can schedule everything in one app and feel good about my health decisions. I'm able to view thousands of verified patient reviews to give myself a real sense of who my doctor is. As I've mentioned many times before, I pushed off doctor's appointments for a long time. For years. Until I downloaded Zocdoc and it made it so easy. Couldn't push it off any longer. Stop putting off those doctor's appointments and go to zocdoc.com PittReddit to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. That's Zocdoc.com PittReddit Zocdoc.com PittReddit Thanks Zocdoc for sponsoring this message.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Angela]

Hey everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Shane]

Oh no.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Angela]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Anyways, get a'@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.

[Shane]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Back to the show.

[Angela]

This is crazy.

[Shane]

What is happening? I don't know. It's a Monday, by the way.

[Amanda]

Whoa.

[Shane]

Yeah. Our next story comes from true off my chest. I cut off my entire friend group because they believe I'm demonically Possessed. I kept my side of the story in silence for over a year. It finally feels good to get it out, even if that means Reddit. Okay, what? It's been hard to share this. It took some time to get over the initial shock of everything. I, a 30 year old woman, was part of a close knit friend group for several years. We did everything together and although many of them are non denominational or fundamentalist Christians, we always got along just fine. I was raised Catholic, but no longer practice actively. Despite our religious differences, there was a mutual respect. Or so I thought. One day, one of my closest friends in the group, let's call her Sarah, sat me down for what she called a heart to heart. She was clearly distressed and kept telling me she was worried about my well being. Then she dropped the bomb. She believed a demonic entity was attached to me and that she had been sensing this for over a year.

[Amanda]

Oh my God.

[Shane]

She claimed the moment it started was a night we all took mushrooms together. According to her, I, a fundamentalist Christian taking mushrooms. Damn, that's a combo.

[Angela]

What is happening?

[Shane]

According to her, I somehow brought the devil into her home. She told me she saw the face of the devil in a photo taken that night, laughing and mocking us. She had even brought it up to her husband, who apparently saw it in me too. It turns out she'd also been discussing this with the rest of the friend group behind my back for months and with her own husband for over a year. When she finally brought it to me, some of our mutual friends, including people I thought were level heads, jumped on the bandwagon. She suggested I see a priest, get an exorcism, or go back to church for spiritual intervention. Even some of our extended friends, who aren't even Christians, seemed convinced something was wrong with me. As someone who still holds many core Catholic values even though I no longer attend church, I was deeply offended. The entire experience left me feeling ganged up on and judged, not supported. Afterward, the group dynamic shifted. I felt ostracized. I noticed people giving me side eyes, making plans without and treating me like I was tainted or dangerous. They even criticized me for using sage or crystals for intention setting, calling it devil's work, and saying they were genuinely worried for my soul. Just to clarify, they never said the exact words the devil's work. I was overgeneralizing in this statement. What she really expressed was more along the lines of deep concern that I was into that kind of stuff and that she's seriously worried about me messing with sage, crystals, et cetera, because that's the devil's temptation to stray you away from the Lord. These are her real religious beliefs. Eventually, I told Sarah I needed to take a step back. Her response was, whenever you're ready to come back, we'll be here with open arms. She clearly believed she was coming from a place of love, and I don't doubt her sincerity. But I couldn't get past how hurt, judged, and betrayed I felt. So I made a decision. I cut ties with all of them. I unfollowed and blocked them on social media, left the group chat and blocked numbers. I haven't spoken to any of them in over a year. No explanation, no big confrontation, just silence. A few of the more distant friends who were involved, but less intense, have tried to reconnect, sending friend requests or messages. And honestly, I feel bad for some of them. I think they were just caught up in the group think. But part of me still feels like they had opportunities to speak up or think for themselves, and they didn't. Sarah and I had been friends for seven years. We were extremely close. Her intervention broke my trust. Even if she truly thought she was helping, I haven't responded to her attempts to reach out since. I just can't. So Reddit. Sometimes I feel guilty for cutting them all off without a word and choosing not to revisit those friendships. Damn.

[Angela]

Whoa.

[Shane]

So it's just a straight up confession about that they lost a whole friend group.

[Angela]

Wow. This is really kind of heartbreaking, honestly, for this person, for your entire friend group to be like, oh, you're working with the devil. First of all, you see a lot of shit when you're on mushrooms. Like, come on.

[Amanda]

The being on drugs thing and going. We decided all collectively that you're a bad vibe. Yeah.

[Angela]

Also drugs.

[Shane]

Show us the picture.

[Angela]

Where is the picture of the devil? I can't stop thinking about, like, insidious. That's all I'm thinking about is a

[Shane]

guy's like, I just love. I love the fucking loops that some religious people jump through of, like, what they consider the devil's work and what they don't. Cause I'm like, wait, hold on. Crystals are the devil's work. But you guys did a shroom trip.

[Amanda]

But you're also.

[Shane]

And that doesn't count. I'm like, what the fuck? And you saw visions and that wasn't the devil's work. Like, what if.

[Angela]

Yep.

[Shane]

What the fuck?

[Amanda]

So the Catholic girl gave you the visions of the devil, not the drugs?

[Angela]

Yeah, exactly. What? No, this is. This is really sad. I also feel like we'll welcome you with open arms. To me, growing up in the Catholic Church, I'm just like. This feels very familiar to me. It's very much like, oh, if you do what we don't, like, you're out of here. Like, you're evil. But, like, when you're ready to accept that you're evil and change, then you can come back with open arms. It's so wild.

[Amanda]

The only demonic thing is ostracizing people. Yeah. You know what I mean? That, to me, is like the worst part of this. Especially if we're talking. If the other friends are Christians, it's like, oh, if someone feels like they're like. I don't know, you go towards them, I think is like the idea. Rather than, like, back off.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

But like. But I respect people protecting their peace. Like, sure. But this just feels like they just ganged up on her.

[Angela]

Cause she's different.

[Shane]

Totally, totally. It's just controlling behavior. And they also.

[Angela]

Crystals. That's the devil's work. Since when?

[Shane]

It changes all the time. I feel like what they label as

[Amanda]

devil's work, sometimes the things you don't understand and the things that scare you don't. I feel like a lot of religions just label that, like, go away, Go away.

[Angela]

And when you've changed, when you've gone back to where we are, come back. It feels very clique. And I'm very glad that this person actually cut these people out.

[Shane]

Oh, they had to.

[Angela]

Goodbye.

[Shane]

Well, and it's like. It's actually. I'm like, you didn't necessarily cut them out. They were intolerant of you. Like, they're such an intolerant group, and you kind of had no choice. Like, you weren't safe. Like.

[Amanda]

But what the funny thing is about this is she did nothing. It just happened. Cause they were on drugs. And they all collectively had a weird vibe from her.

[Angela]

They just. What? I really want to see this picture.

[Amanda]

If weird vibes were demonic, I'd have no friends.

[Shane]

I'm not. Yeah.

[Angela]

Hey. I like. I like demonic people, and you're one of them.

[Shane]

I'm not fully buying the mushroom trip. I think this was just something they were building up to.

[Angela]

I agree.

[Amanda]

At some point, maybe if someone's a bad vibe. Cause they're mean and they're treating people awfully well.

[Angela]

They're hiding behind a really bad excuse.

[Amanda]

But she did nothing.

[Shane]

She literally did nothing.

[Angela]

She did nothing.

[Shane]

But this is just controlling behavior. I mean, come on. In America, we see this literally every fucking day. It's just going out of Their way to try to control people who are doing literally nothing to them.

[Angela]

It's really heartbreaking because I think if you don't have a good support group, you can really feel like you are bad, that you are evil, that you are negative, that what you're doing isn't right. But it's like, to me, this person is actually doing things that makes her feel good. To me, it's like religion, spirituality, whatever it is that's gonna make you feel more connected to your inner self. That's the work that you should be doing. And we shouldn't be shunning people for that.

[Amanda]

Well, it's also like, they would say it all the time in the Bible too.

[Angela]

There's like, all the disciples, like, thy neighbors.

[Amanda]

All the disciples would be like, shunning people that were weird or sinful, and Jesus would love them and go towards them, and everyone would be like, what? So it's like, that is the basic thing at its core.

[Angela]

Yeah, maybe we cut that. But no, I think.

[Amanda]

I mean, it's true, though.

[Angela]

We keep that. That's legit.

[Amanda]

It's so true. And then it's the same pattern that was that a billion years ago was happening. That's still happening today, where people are like, if I don't understand you, I can't love you.

[Angela]

I don't understand you, I can't love you. Exactly.

[Shane]

Comments. Why is she even judging you in stuff for not being fully Christian when she voluntarily took mushrooms with you? Didn't she even think it was the paranoia from the shrooms op said it seems like she used the shroom trip to validate her own original suspicions. But yes, considering the paranoia from the shrooms is a very logical way to think. Someone said, the thing I'm stuck on is the assertion that using crystals or sage is not of God, but doing shrooms is okay. Like. Like Jesus is against rocks and harmless plants, but a okay with technically poisonous psychedelic fungi. Lastly, someone said, and good riddance to all of them. Sarah was never your friend. That was a setup. And she used your faith to gang up on you.

[Amanda]

I can't.

[Shane]

Yeah, exactly.

[Amanda]

It's honestly what bad trips you're scared of. When you're, like, doing drugs, you're scared everyone's talking about you and thinking to, like, not talk to you.

[Angela]

And you do see hallucinations sometimes. You see people's face, like, totally, totally. You're on drugs.

[Shane]

Yeah, 100% Iran jokes. Yeah.

[Angela]

Sounded like the beginning of a song sucks. A church song.

[Shane]

I don't think this person, this friend group has ever in a moment in their life gone. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Angela]

No, never. Never.

[Amanda]

And I bet they're like, well, shrooms are of the earth, so we could do them. That's the Christians of earth.

[Angela]

But rocks are not.

[Amanda]

But crystal meth. You made that?

[Angela]

Yeah, exactly.

[Shane]

But this is a. Yeah, they're minerals, by the way. Crystals.

[Angela]

Just get out of town. We are not friends anymore.

[Shane]

You've watched Breaking Bad. You know Hank Schrader. Oh my God, of course. Loves his minerals.

[Amanda]

God, we're on like the third Breaking Bad reference of the day.

[Angela]

You haven't seen it.

[Shane]

Fucking great.

[Angela]

2026. If you have seen it, you would be on it too.

[Shane]

Crystal meth.

[Angela]

Meth.

[Shane]

Our final story comes from true off my chest. Supposed to. Only a few days ago I saw a friend in the market and I can't stop thinking about how she greeted me. Okay, what market?

[Angela]

What year is it? Sup ho?

[Shane]

Sup, stupid.

[Angela]

You slut. Nice ass, slut. He's like, thanks.

[Amanda]

Hey, my girly slut.

[Angela]

Your ass looking good. Woo woo.

[Shane]

I'm heading to the bee room.

[Amanda]

The demons are in there.

[Shane]

That's where the demons are. The other day, my husband and I, this is a 57 year old woman walked into the supermarket and there in the produce section, I saw a friend who I hadn't run into for years. We know each other in a professional capacity more than a personal one, but we get on very well, even though we never socialized outside of work. So I see her standing there and I'm so happy I exclaimed, is that Dina Pisciology? Not a real name she made up Dina Pisciotti.

[Angela]

Is that my slut with that?

[Shane]

Is it offensive if I say Angela, do you know how to pronounce this? P I S C I O T T. I didn't listen.

[Angela]

Is this your friend?

[Shane]

P I S C I O T T I.

[Amanda]

Is that Piscotti? Pisciotti.

[Shane]

Pisciotti.

[Amanda]

Pisciotti.

[Shane]

Pisadina Pisciotti. With a huge smile. So this is what OP exclaims.

[Amanda]

But that's not her name.

[Shane]

No, that's not real name in parenthesis.

[Angela]

I really enjoy the way Shane said that though. I really like.

[Shane]

Is that Dina Pisciotti? With a huge smile. She turns around and it takes just a minute for her to register my face. And then she comes in. I thought we were going to do a friendly hug and a little squeal of delight, but no. She grabs my shoulder and pulls me into a hug fully pulls me in and hugs me with a huge smile and a huge embrace, and then pulls away, laughing and smiling, and then pulls me in a second time. I don't think I've ever been hugged like this in my life. I've never been surrounded by such genuine joy and happiness to be seen. It was completely sincere and filled with joy. We stood there for a minute, catching up, introducing her to my husband, excited small talk, and left with plans to meet for lunch, which we have scheduled for next week. I cannot stop thinking about that hug again. No one has ever done this before. Not my parents, siblings, husbands, other friends. No one. It felt like pure acceptance and happiness to be seen in a. Like a long lost family member. It was wonderful.

[Angela]

Okay. Is that Dina Pizziani?

[Shane]

Is that Dina Fizziotti? I love you, bitch. Thank God I ran into you near the Avocados.

[Angela]

God, I've never had someone do that for me. I've never had someone manhandle me and call me. She's like, God, it's so good to see you. It's me.

[Amanda]

Okay? So what's really funny to me is I misheard this and I thought. I thought OP was talking about someone looking at her, calling her a full wrong name, going, is that Dina Pisciotti?

[Shane]

Is that Dina Pisciotti?

[Angela]

Why is this story so funny?

[Shane]

And then Zena Pisioti grabs her in. You know that part in the figure skating where they, like, spin them around her torso? She grabs her, hugs her, flips her around.

[Amanda]

I'm just like, whoa, what was this? Was this woman.

[Angela]

Maybe she was like, so open. Maybe she's won a lot of money in that moment or something beforehand.

[Amanda]

Yeah. Or maybe it's just like, she was like, that is me.

[Angela]

I am Dina Pisciotti. That is.

[Shane]

You're goddamn right I am.

[Angela]

You're right, you slut. Get in here.

[Amanda]

Cause I think we keep saying this sentence like, is that, like, really fun? But imagine it, op's 56 or something. And she's like, is that Dina Pisioti?

[Angela]

She went, yeah, you're damn right. I come here.

[Amanda]

And then she's like, I've never felt that way in my entire life. Yeah. Whoa.

[Angela]

What did the husband think? He's just like.

[Shane]

He's like, I've never seen anything like that before in my entire life.

[Amanda]

I'm obsessed with Dina Pisiani.

[Angela]

He's like, who's Dina Pisiani?

[Shane]

Who is that? And she's like, dina Pisioti.

[Angela]

She's like, dina Pisioti. I met her once at the market

[Amanda]

50 years ago, her and I, we used to have.

[Shane]

Fuck, yeah.

[Angela]

Her and I, we went down on each other for a long time. One night, you'd think, yeah.

[Amanda]

Tina Pisioti.

[Angela]

Is that. We went to France and.

[Shane]

Oh, boy. And we French or what if OP

[Amanda]

was like a normal woman? And then she goes. She's like, yeah, honey. Oh, I'd love. Let's get a couple of these.

[Angela]

Is that Dina Pizzioni? Is that.

[Shane]

Dina Pizzioni goes, Holy Tetris. Oh, my God. Is that Susan Brancoff? Get over here.

[Amanda]

And then the dad's like, what?

[Shane]

What? There's a cart in between them. They smush.

[Angela]

Goes. All their groceries just splatter.

[Amanda]

My God, if that isn't the ass

[Angela]

of Dina Pisani, then I. I am mistaken.

[Shane]

I didn't realize I was in the cake aisle.

[Angela]

Are we doing serpents right now? But I am mistaken.

[Amanda]

The Lord has risen in the name of the demons in the be room. Is that Dina Pisiani?

[Angela]

God damn it. It was her birthday, and she can do whatever she wants in a banquet hall.

[Amanda]

Hey, so OP is so interesting, by the way.

[Shane]

Opie couldn't walk after the hug. She could.

[Angela]

She gets up, she. She goes, Dina? And she goes, yes, ma'. Am.

[Amanda]

She goes, check your wallet.

[Angela]

Check your wallet. There's $100 in there. Oh, my God.

[Amanda]

That is Dina Pisiani. I love this story.

[Angela]

I love this story.

[Amanda]

But also, though, it makes me sad that OP doesn't feel, like, seen or

[Angela]

loved or hugged, even by her husband. Does her husband not grip her at any time? Are you. Are you?

[Shane]

Well, let's talk about the ramifications of this situation. Like, God, this is a funny story to read, because when I'm at the grocery store, I don't want anyone to talk to me.

[Angela]

Oh, God. Oh, I've had, like, a couple of these happen to the grocery store. It's tough where it's like, Amanda.

[Amanda]

You're fucking kidding.

[Angela]

You're joking. Los Feliz, bitch. You. No. Okay. No.

[Amanda]

That happens to me all the time.

[Shane]

The problem is, like, especially if you have perishables in your cart, you don't have much time.

[Angela]

Oh, my God. Is that what you're thinking about?

[Amanda]

You're such a hunter gavel.

[Shane]

I have chicken breast in my cart, so. I have chicken breast in my car.

[Angela]

I cannot take a hug.

[Amanda]

I'm so sorry, Dina.

[Shane]

Sorry I can't say hi, I'd love

[Amanda]

to see you, and squeeze that sweet ass.

[Shane]

I got perishables in the car. I'd love to See you. I'd love to get that sweet ass on my plate.

[Amanda]

Well, Is that Dina Pisciotti?

[Angela]

I'm so sorry.

[Amanda]

I got eggs in here that are dying by the second. I'll see you later.

[Angela]

I'll see you later. God, this Murphy.

[Shane]

If I don't get them out of here, they're gonna hatch anyways. Goodbye, Jesus. All right. Comments update. Fuck no. A genuine heartfelt hug has been shown to prolong life. I know hippies get a bad rap, but some of the best hugs I've ever had were at Burning man and lasted longer than 30 seconds. Okay, everyone needs to be hugged once. What the fuck is happening?

[Angela]

There's not just hippies at Burning Man. Come on. They're architects.

[Shane]

Yeah, they're all.

[Angela]

They're builders.

[Shane]

Yeah. They're all from Silicon Valley.

[Angela]

Yeah.

[Shane]

Someone said there are a few people I've hugged in life who give mom dad hugs. Like I completely melt in their arms and feel safe, seen and cared for. I did tell one lady this, and she pulled me back in for another and told me I could have a mom hug whenever I needed one. Thanks for giving the best hugs, Jen. Someone said, I love this. I must admit I'm so jaded by my Reddit negativity that I assumed the OP was going to complain about overstepping boundaries or what. I had my pitchfork ready. It was such a lovely and wholesome surprise to read this. Lastly, someone said there's not a lot of joyful wholesome posts. I feel so negative for waiting for that. Thanks for sharing. We can all choose to be a light for others and ourselves.

[Angela]

Oh, Dina Pisioti is a lot.

[Shane]

Dina Pisioti is a character we gotta do now.

[Amanda]

Dina Pisioti, Whoa, she's changed.

[Shane]

Well, that's cause we're doing the other girl. Cause OP is who said, Is that Dina Pisciotti?

[Angela]

You're right, you're right.

[Shane]

Dina Pisioti turned around and goes, you goddamn right.

[Angela]

Can you take the head.

[Shane]

Get the fuck out of it.

[Amanda]

Is that my best friend? Is that the only.

[Angela]

Is that my best friend? Is that the only thing?

[Shane]

And as she hugs you, she puts her cigarette out on your back. She goes, and I felt this heat

[Angela]

on my back and it was like I felt a lot of sending. She's like, is that my mother fucking sister? Hey, hey, sister, come here. And then the shopping carts, the metal doesn't matter.

[Shane]

Take a lemon on me.

[Angela]

She's like, but Dina.

[Amanda]

But Dina, you haven't found me yet. Dina, it's been so long.

[Shane]

I know.

[Amanda]

Dina, wait.

[Shane]

Oh, I remember France.

[Angela]

No, Dina, remember Dina.

[Amanda]

That was crazy what was happening in France, Honey.

[Shane]

Oh, is this your husband? You're gonna want to step back.

[Amanda]

Hello.

[Angela]

I've never given her a hug like you've given her. You know what I'm saying?

[Shane]

Dina.

[Angela]

Whoa.

[Shane]

I can tell. I can tell.

[Amanda]

Before Dina was like that, we used to fuck a lot.

[Shane]

Like what? Yeah, I figured. Yeah.

[Angela]

Yeah, I figured.

[Shane]

What do you think, Dena?

[Angela]

Something has happened to Dina.

[Shane]

I've ascended. I did. True.

[Angela]

Yeah, we know.

[Amanda]

I've been in this grocery store for two weeks.

[Shane]

They won't let me out.

[Amanda]

Good time.

[Angela]

Dina Pisioti. She wins Reddit.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

Yeah, we need her.

[Shane]

Can I be honest for a second in that delirious laughter? I thought we were at the old studio.

[Angela]

Whoa, whoa, Shane.

[Shane]

Remember where it at?

[Angela]

And you know what I thought? I thought this was a haystack in the middle of harm.

[Shane]

I love this so much.

[Amanda]

So you're laughing because this reminds me of a haystack.

[Shane]

I cannot stop thinking about it. That this is a haystack.

[Angela]

You know, those that are rolled up in the farms.

[Amanda]

We have to get her home.

[Shane]

I know.

[Angela]

We have to go home.

[Shane]

I know. Thank God. This is the last thing we need.

[Amanda]

Is that a haystack or dinapisian?

[Shane]

I recognize that haystack anywhere.

[Amanda]

Is that. Is that Dina Pisciotti?

[Shane]

I only know one person built like a haystack, and it's Dina Pisciotti.

[Amanda]

I recognize that behind anywhere.

[Angela]

Dena. Oh, God. We gotta cut this off, y'. All.

[Amanda]

Everyone's gonna be like, this was not a good one.

[Angela]

You know what? I wanna meet Liam. Cause he could save my life one day.

[Shane]

True, true. All right. Angela, Amanda. This went about how I expected it to go.

[Angela]

That's what friends are for.

[Shane]

Sliding, right? Thank you for joining me. And thank you for watching. Boy. Hey, hug your friend.

[Angela]

Bye.

[Shane]

See you next Saturday.

[Amanda]

Bye. Hug your friend.

[Shane]

Hug your friend.

[Amanda]

Let's go back to the B room.

[Shane]

All right. We're going to the B room.

[Angela]

Okay. This was the A room. No, that's what you're not.

[Amanda]

Yes, yes, yes. This is a room. Yeah.

[Angela]

So that was yours.

[Shane]

Oh, hey.

[Angela]

Style. Uh. Oh, the birthday grade. Oh, look at that.

[Amanda]

There's a bunch of charcuterie over there.

[Shane]

Is that Dina Pisciotti.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

And Doug? There's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual, even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Angela]

Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Shane]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

We help people customize and save on car insurance With Liberty Mutual Together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Shane]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Anyways, get a quote@liberty mutual.com or with your local agent.

[Shane]

Liberty, Liberty, Liberty, Liberty.