Podcast Summary: Smosh Reads Reddit Stories – Episode: Three Hot Takes | Reading Reddit Stories

Release Date: July 19, 2025
Host: Shane Topp
Guests: Courtney and Morgan Abisher

Introduction

In the latest episode of Smosh Reads Reddit Stories, host Shane Topp, alongside guests Courtney and Morgan Abisher, delves into three compelling Reddit tales centered around themes of messiness in relationships and personal dynamics. The episode, released on July 19, 2025, maintains its signature blend of humor and insightful commentary, ensuring an engaging experience for listeners.

First Hot Take: Relationship Advice – The "Hear Me Out" Cake Incident

Reddit Post Overview:
An 18-year-old male coworker posts a "hear me out" cake featuring a 22-year-old female coworker’s face among fictional characters. The woman grapples with feelings of violation and seeks advice on whether to address the issue formally or privately.

Discussion Highlights:

• Shayne's Initial Reaction:
  [02:32] "This is bad on multiple levels. Bad all around several layers of cake."

• Morgan's Perspective:
  [05:48] "I'd say it does. And I just don't know how to proceed except, like, you kind of should go to HR first."

• Shayne’s Advice:
  [07:11] "Go up to him at work and say, hey, can you delete that video... It's really fucking weird."

Conclusion:
The trio unanimously agrees that the coworker's actions constitute grounds for harassment, emphasizing the importance of addressing such behavior through appropriate channels like HR. They underscore the discomfort and violation felt by the victim, advocating for clear communication and professional intervention.

Second Hot Take: Am I the Asshole – Wedding Drama Over a Broken Nose

Reddit Post Overview:
A 44-year-old man faces backlash from his fiancée, Amber, for refusing to remove his sister, Luna, from the wedding party despite Luna’s recent bike accident resulting in a broken nose and other injuries. Amber demands Luna’s removal to maintain the wedding’s aesthetic, leading to heightened tensions and potential cancellation of the wedding.

Discussion Highlights:

• Morgan's Concern:
  [22:02] "Melissa, it's such a privilege to have people you love stand there next to you and support you. You can't..."

• Courtney's Empathy:
  [19:25] "I think it's a little frustrating that this bride is like, you don't respect my vision."

• Group Verdict:
  Most listeners leaned towards deeming Amber the asshole, citing her prioritization of aesthetics over familial bonds and empathy.

Conclusion:
The hosts critique Amber’s obsession with perfection, arguing that a wedding should celebrate love and family rather than adhere to superficial appearances. They advocate for inclusivity and understanding, suggesting that Amber's inability to accommodate Luna's situation is both immature and unreasonable.

Third Hot Take: Dating Advice – Navigating Complex Friendships Post-Date

Reddit Post Overview:
A 26-year-old woman narrates her dilemma after meeting a woman on a date and subsequently hitting it off with her friend. When she attempts to pursue the friend, she encounters unexpected backlash, leading to confusion and hurt feelings. She seeks advice on whether to follow the friend on Instagram to initiate contact.

Discussion Highlights:

• Shayne's Initial Take:
  [43:38] "It was a one date. Like, you're showing up like, these are all strangers. You don't technically owe anyone anything."

• Courtney's Practical Advice:
  [45:05] "If you wanted to reach out and be like, hey, how are you doing? Build a friendship first."

• Final Outcome:
  The original poster discovers that the friend wasn’t interested and faces a mocking response, highlighting the potential pitfalls of mixing dating with existing friendships.

Conclusion:
The hosts emphasize the importance of clear communication and boundaries in dating scenarios, especially when involving mutual friends. They caution against assumptions and encourage honest conversations to navigate complex emotional landscapes without causing unnecessary drama.

Fourth Hot Take: Am I the Asshole – The Gray Gender Reveal Cake

Reddit Post Overview:
A 23-year-old man, tasked with baking his sister’s gender reveal cake, ends up creating an entirely gray cake due to lack of information, leading to embarrassment and family tension. He debates whether his passive-aggressive gesture makes him the asshole.

Discussion Highlights:

• Courtney's Critique:
  [59:12] "There was a lot of ways that the cake maker could have done this better... There's a lot of reason..."

• Morgan's Perspective:
  [60:07] "She didn't want to be tempted about having that email or that envelope."

• Group Verdict:
  The consensus leaned towards labeling the cake maker as the asshole for his passive-aggressive approach and poor communication, despite the initial lack of clarity.

Conclusion:
The trio criticizes the lack of follow-up from both parties, asserting that proactive communication could have averted the mishap. They highlight the importance of clarity, especially in emotionally charged events like gender reveals, and discourage retaliatory actions that can dampen joyous occasions.

Fifth Hot Take: Am I the Asshole – Falling for a Married Neighbor

Reddit Post Overview:
A 34-year-old woman shares her intense feelings for her married neighbor, K, whom she met after a messy breakup. After babysitting his unruly kids during his wife's hospitalization due to a car accident, she questions the viability of pursuing a relationship given the family's dynamics.

Discussion Highlights:

• Morgan's Concern:
  [75:04] "She romanticizes him and has this fantasy life in your head... you're not for him."

• Courtney's Reality Check:
  [76:03] "She's clearly still very intimate... Just because he is nice to you doesn't mean he wants you."

• K's Response:
  [83:56] K confronts her after discovering the Reddit post, firmly denying any interest and severing ties to prevent potential infidelity.

Conclusion:
The hosts strongly discourage pursuing relationships that infringe upon existing commitments, emphasizing respect and ethical conduct. They highlight the emotional turmoil and potential fallout such actions can cause, advocating for self-awareness and the acknowledgment of boundaries in interpersonal relationships.

Closing Remarks

Throughout the episode, Shane, Courtney, and Morgan provide candid and often humorous takes on the messy and complex situations presented by Reddit users. They reinforce the importance of communication, empathy, and ethical behavior in relationships and personal interactions. By dissecting each story with a blend of humor and critical insight, the trio offers listeners valuable perspectives on navigating interpersonal challenges.

Notable Quotes:

• Shayne (02:32): "This is bad on multiple levels. Bad all around several layers of cake."
• Morgan (05:48): "I'd say it does. And I just don't know how to proceed except, like, you kind of should go to HR first."
• Courtney (19:25): "I think it's a little frustrating that this bride is like, you don't respect my vision."
• Shayne (43:38): "It was a one date. Like, you're showing up like, these are all strangers. You don't technically owe anyone anything."
• Morgan (75:04): "She romanticizes him and has this fantasy life in your head... you're not for him."

This episode serves as a microcosm of the diverse and often tangled scenarios that unfold in personal relationships, offering both entertainment and thoughtful commentary for the audience.