Story Warz Episode 028: Romance Showdown with Yamaneika Saunders, Jordan Jensen, & Brendan Sagalow

Release Date: February 14, 2025

Introduction

Welcome to Episode 028 of Story Warz, a captivating game of deceptive storytelling hosted by Big J Okerson and Lewis J. Gomez from the GaS Digital Network. This Valentine's Day special, the theme revolves around Romance, featuring three vibrant contestants: Yamaneika Saunders, Jordan Jensen, and Brendan Sagalow. Filmed live at The Stand Comedy Club in New York City, the episode promises a blend of humor, wit, and heartfelt stories as contestants vie for the title of Story Warrior.

Meet the Contestants

1. Yamaneika Saunders

   • Background: Known for her YouTube special "White N Word with an A," Yamaneika brings her sharp comedic timing and candid personality to the stage.
   • Notable Quote: "I love that you brought me up to Beyonce." [02:03]

2. Jordan Jensen

   • Background: From the acclaimed show "Being Eaten" and her 30-minute special on Gas Digital, Jordan is ready to showcase her storytelling prowess.
   • Notable Quote: "This is the most humiliating night of my entire life." [13:15]

3. Brendan Sagalow

   • Background: Brendan, recognized from "SAG Daddy" and "Thin Lips" on YouTube, adds his unique comedic flair to the competition.
   • Notable Quote: "I like playing that guy in the game where I just... I'm like the joker here." [06:34]

Understanding the Game: Story Wars

Big J Okerson and Lewis J. Gomez kick off by explaining the rules of Story Wars:

• Submission: Each participant, including the hosts, submits five stories centered around the episode's theme—in this case, Romance.
• Gameplay: Stories are read aloud one by one. The panel must guess who submitted each story. If it's not their own, they earn points by correctly identifying the author. If it is their own, they score points by deceiving others into believing it's someone else's story.
• Scoring:
  • One Point: For fooling someone into believing a story isn't theirs.
  • Two Points: For correctly guessing another's story.
  • Double Points: Introduced in the final four stories, amplifying the competition stakes.

Gameplay Breakdown

1. Story Number One: Improvisational Dance
   Alex presents: "I once blacked out and performed a very long improvisational dance in front of my crush." [05:29]

   • Discussion:
     • Jordan is initially suspected due to her sobriety and past performances.
     • Brendan humorously suggests it might be him, given his penchant for antics.
     • Yamaneika quickly dismisses the possibility, leading to laughter.
   • Reveal: Jordan Jensen admits to the story, earning one point for deceiving the panel.

2. Story Number Two: Aluminum Foil Teeth
   Alex shares: "I once wore aluminum foil on my teeth because my crush was attracted to braces." [16:08]

   • Discussion:
     • Brendan, Yamaneika, and Lewis debate who among them found this comedic gesture plausible.
     • Lewis suggests it might be him, teasing about his attraction to braces.
   • Reveal: The story is attributed to Lewis J. Gomez, who explains his rationale, garnering him two points.

3. Story Number Three: Shared Tattoo
   Alex introduces: "I share a tattoo with an ex." [27:33]

   • Discussion:
     • Brendan and Jordan joke about their own tattoo experiences.
     • Yamaneika contemplates if it's a joint tattoo with someone else.
   • Reveal: Lewis J. Gomez shares that he has the wrong initials in Chinese characters on his arm for an ex-girlfriend, earning him another two points.

4. Story Number Four: Connected at the Genitals
   Alex narrates: "I once tried to fall asleep with a significant other while connected at the genitals." [39:21]

   • Discussion:
     • Yamaneika misunderstands the term initially, adding confusion and humor.
     • Jordan and Brendan tease about the awkwardness of the situation.
   • Reveal: The story belongs to Big J Okerson, who shares an exaggerated and humorous account, earning him two points.

5. Story Number Five: Surprise Party and Cheating
   Alex conveys: "My first romantic partner threw me a surprise party where I found out they were cheating on me with one of my best friends." [61:25]

   • Discussion:
     • The panel suspects Brendan due to his candid nature.
     • Yamaneika and Lewis analyze the emotional depth of the story.
   • Reveal: Brendan Sagalow confesses the story, pushing him into the lead with four points.

6. Story Number Six: Pooping in the Toilet
   Alex reports: "I pooped in the person I was seeing's parents' toilet. And it wouldn't go down, so I took it out with a plastic bag and threw it out the window." [70:26]

   • Discussion:
     • Lewis and Yamaneika debate who among them could commit such a faux pas.
     • Jordan shares a similar embarrassing experience, adding to the humor.
   • Reveal: The story is Jordan Jensen's, earning her two points.

7. Story Number Seven: Valentine's Balloons
   Alex presents: "When I was in high school, I covered my significant other's car in pink and purple balloons on Valentine's Day. Everyone made fun of it, and my partner was mortified." [81:33]

   • Discussion:
     • Brendan and Lewis joke about decorating cars with balloons, questioning the authenticity.
     • Yamaneika sarcastically suggests it might be related to cultural expressions.
   • Reveal: The story is revealed to be Lewis J. Gomez's act, earning him another two points.

8. Story Number Eight: Love Notes to Self
   Alex discloses: "When I was a kid, I would buy my own Valentine's and have them sent to me. I would write myself love notes and giggle like it was so romantic." [93:21]

   • Discussion:
     • Yamaneika immediately questions the authenticity, suspecting it was orchestrated.
     • Jordan and Brendan find the self-love concept both funny and relatable.
   • Reveal: The heartfelt yet humorous story is attributed to Yamaneika Saunders, earning her two points.

Final Scoring and Winner

As the game progresses, points soar with Brendan Sagalow and Yamaneika Saunders both amassing impressive scores. Despite Big J Okerson starting strong, the competition intensifies with double points in the final stories.

• Final Scores:
  • Jordan Jensen: 19 Points
  • Brendan Sagalow: 11 Points
  • Yamaneika Saunders: 14 Points
  • Lewis J. Gomez: 10 Points
  • Big J Okerson: 4 Points

Winner: Jordan Jensen emerges victorious with a total of 19 points, earning the prize—"Undercover" by J. Love, a contemporary romance novel exploring themes of trust, loyalty, and personal transformation.

Notable Interactions and Quotes

• Big J Okerson [04:00]: "This is really just breaking four months in. Broke it."
• Lewis J. Gomez [07:35]: "You drew a penis. That is officially."
• Yamaneika Saunders [11:01]: "I'm going to put on Jordan. I'm sorry, Jordan."
• Brendan Sagalow [17:39]: "I'm competitive, but I'm also like, what am I gonna win? A fucking book?"

Conclusion

Episode 028 of Story Warz masterfully blends comedic banter, sharp wit, and engaging storytelling. The dynamic between hosts and contestants fuels an entertaining atmosphere, making the exploration of romantic tales both hilarious and relatable. Jordan Jensen's triumph underscores her ability to deceive and captivate the panel, cementing her status as the ultimate Story Warrior of the night. Listeners are left eagerly anticipating future episodes, where more stories, laughter, and surprises await.