Full Show PT 1: Wednesday, December 24 [Vault]

Summary

The Bert Show – Full Show PT 1: Wednesday, December 24 [Vault]

Original Air Date: December 24, 2025
Host/Cast: Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, and more
Guest: Rachael Ray
Special Segment: "Chick Chat"

---

Episode Overview

This lively and engaging episode bundles trademark Bert Show banter, a special guest interview with Food Network star Rachael Ray, and an all-female segment, "Chick Chat," exploring adult friendship challenges. Expect humor, relatable moments, candid advice, and a sense of community throughout.

---

Major Segments and Highlights

---

1. Special Guest Interview: Rachael Ray (01:34–15:13)

Theme: Behind the scenes with Rachael Ray: her hectic life, writing/filming process, favorite things to cook, personal anecdotes, and her takes on microwave culinary challenges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• The Challenges of Hearing Your Own Voice

  • Rachael jokes about disliking hearing herself on TV:

    "We don't watch the show in my house because it makes my dog cry."
    —Rachael Ray (01:56)

• TV Career and Workload

  • Rachael reveals she tapes 120 episodes of "30 Minute Meals" per year, plus two other shows, writing all recipes herself.

    "I don't sleep much... I sleep about four hours a night. I work every night writing and I tape or tour pretty much every day."
    —Rachael Ray (03:21–03:50)

• Recipe Writing & Avoiding Writers’ Block

  • She gets guidelines for episodes (“we need five low carb, six pastas, two kid-friendly meals...”), which sparks her creativity. Decades of kitchen experience help:

    "Once you’ve been in the biz a long time, there’s only so many ways to prepare a piece of chicken cutlet, and then it’s just about updating the toppings or the sauces."
    —Rachael Ray (04:28)

• Personal Stories: Family & Marriage

  • On getting married in a vineyard in Italy, with a humorous spin on her first word ("vino" after her grandfather would give her wine in her bottle):

    “My first word was vino, incidentally, because my grandfather used to take care of me during the day. I didn’t like milk, so to quiet me down he’d put water and a little bit of his wine in my bottle...”
    —Rachael Ray (05:30)

• Microwave-Only Cooking Competition

  • Dishes sampled include couscous and vegetable "dumplings", black bean chili, bacon cheese popcorn, peanut butter-cinnamon-raisin "candy balls," salmon casserole, and chocolate fudge—all made in a microwave.

Most Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the “candy balls”:

  "Those are some tasty balls."
  —Rachael Ray (09:43)
  "I knew it was coming...those are some big tasty balls."
  —Rachael Ray (09:52–10:02)

• Rachael’s top pick in the contest:

  "Georgie, the couscous...just because it was so nice...look for it in an upcoming 30 minute meal cookbook. So very, very creative."
  —Rachael Ray (11:39–11:52)

• Playful banter as the hosts do Rachael Ray impressions and she gamely joins in.

---

2. Chick Chat: Making Friends as an Adult Woman (15:30–27:43)

Theme: An honest, open dialogue about friendships, loneliness, and building a new social circle as a young adult in Atlanta.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Tracy’s Friendship Dilemma

  • Tracy opens up about struggling to make new female friends in her late twenties, despite always having lots of girlfriends before:

    "I need more friends...I don't know where to meet new girlfriends...All my life, I've always had lots of girlfriends, but it seems like at this point...I don't know where to meet new girlfriends."
    —Tracy (16:08–17:31)

• Relatability and Universality

  • Listeners and co-hosts chime in that this is a very common situation, especially as friends marry, move, or focus on families.
  • April calls in with a similar story about "couple shopping" and the struggle to make new friends after high school or college.
    — (18:56–19:39)

• How to Meet New Friends as an Adult

  • Suggestions include:
    • Participate in activities or organizations matching your passions (e.g., gym classes, volunteering, rock climbing).
    • Let friendships develop naturally from repeated encounters.
    • Accept that friends may not always be the same age or background.
    • Leverage existing acquaintances or coworkers.
    • Consider platforms or events specifically for friendship (even joking about a "match.com for friends").

• Barriers & Awkwardness

  • Acknowledgement that it's hard to initiate a "friend date" and overcome the fear of rejection.
  • Panelists discuss not wanting to appear desperate, and that like dating, you can’t force a "click."

    "You don't click with every girl you meet...you can't force it, just like you don't click with every guy."
    —Jessica (24:16)

• Listener Solutions

  • Jennifer suggests organizing parties or forums for people looking for friends to meet each other, especially outside of bars.
  • Emphasis on non-alcohol-centric activities for better connections.

Notable Quotes & Vignettes

• Molly, a listener, suggests starting a conversation about this topic directly:

  "Everybody has this need to find somebody. So just strike up a conversation about that."
  —Molly (23:36)

• Recurring joke:

  "Nobody's gonna want to be my friend if I say I have none, will you be mine?"
  —Tracy (23:52)

• Erica calls in:

  "I am rowing in the same boat you are. I will be your friend."
  —Erica (26:56)

• Closing consensus: build friendships through shared interests, patience, and vulnerability—with extra support from the Bert Show community.

---

Notable Timestamps

• 01:34–15:13 – Interview and cooking challenge with Rachael Ray.
• 15:30–27:43 – “Chick Chat” women’s friendship roundtable (“where do you make new friends?”).

---

Tone & Atmosphere

Upbeat, humorous, supportive, and authentic. The hosts show vulnerability and deliver plenty of playful ribbing, ensuring discussions remain relatable and light even when addressing deeper topics.

---

Key Takeaways

• Behind the Scenes in TV Cooking: Rachael Ray is immensely hardworking and candid, writing her own recipes, seldom sleeping, and keeping a sense of humor about her hectic schedule.
• Friendship is a Common Adult Struggle: Many, especially women in their 20s and 30s, find it hard to make new friends as lifestyles change.
• Best Ways to Make Friends: Pursue your authentic interests, let connections develop naturally, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there—even if it feels awkward.
• The Bert Show Community: The open, funny, and vulnerable atmosphere fosters real conversation, offering comfort to listeners facing similar challenges.

---

Memorable Quotes

• "Once you’ve been in the biz a long time...there’s only so many ways to prepare a piece of chicken cutlet, and then it’s just about updating the toppings or the sauces." —Rachael Ray (04:28)
• "Those are some tasty balls." —Rachael Ray (09:43)
• "I need more friends...I don't know where to meet new girlfriends." —Tracy (16:08)
• "You can't force it, just like you don't click with every guy." —Jessica (24:16)
• "I am rowing in the same boat you are. I will be your friend." —Erica (26:56)

---

Summary

This episode is full of heart, humor, and authenticity. Whether laughing along with Rachael Ray’s candid personality, marveling at microwave cooking experiments, or finding solidarity in the honest struggles of making adult friendships, listeners are sure to recognize glimpses of their own lives and feel a bit more connected.

---

For more, visit thebertshow.com or join their community events and discussions.

Transcript

[A]

Guys, thanks for helping me carry my Christmas tree.

[B]

Zoe, this thing weighs a ton.

[C]

Drew Ski, lift with your legs, man.

[D]

Santa.

[E]

Santa, did you get my letter?

[B]

He's talking to you britches.

[C]

I'm not.

[A]

Of course he did.

[C]

Right, Santa, you know my elf, Drew Ski here.

[E]

He handles the nice list.

[B]

And elf, I'm six' three. What everyone wants is iPhone 17 and at T Mobile, you can get it on them. That center stage front camera is amazing for group selfies. Right, Mrs. Claus?

[A]

Hi, Mrs. Claus Claus, much younger sister. And AT T Mobile, there's no trade in needed when you switch, so you can keep your old phone or give.

[E]

It as a gift.

[A]

And the best part, you can make the switch to T mobile from your phone in just 15 minutes.

[F]

Nice.

[B]

My side of the tree is slipping.

[E]

Kimber, the holidays are better.

[B]

AT T Mobile, switch in just 15 minutes and get iPhone 17 on us with no trade in needed. And now T mobile is available in U.S. cellular stores with sweetheart monthly bill credits for well qualified customers plus tax and $35 vice connection charge credits and imbalance too. If you pay off earlier, cancel finance agreement to 256 gigs. $830 eligible for in a new line. $100 plus a month plan with auto pay plus taxes and fees required. Check out 15 minutes or less per line. Visit t mobile.com. The Birch show hi there.

[C]

I'm Rachael Ray and I make 30 minute meals. Now that means in the time it takes you to watch this program, I'll have made a delicious and healthy meal from start to finish.

[E]

Bring back memories for you there, Rachael Ray.

[C]

I was just saying I sound so annoying. No, you don't sound like know it all. And I know how to get you dinner.

[E]

Do you hate the sound of your own voice?

[C]

We don't watch the show in my house because it makes my dog cry.

[E]

Oh, come on now.

[F]

It does.

[E]

No, it does not. Seriously, it does.

[C]

She can't figure out why I'm not with her if she hears me right. And if I'm there and I'm in the other room and I'm on the TV at the same time, it confuses us.

[E]

How long have you been on Food Network now?

[C]

A little over three years.

[E]

Three years and three shows. Correct.

[C]

Three shows. Yep.

[E]

And those are inside Dish.

[C]

That's the one where I chit chat with famous people over food and $40 a day. And that's the one where I get 40 bucks and have to find breakfast, lunch and dinner and 30 minute meals.

[E]

Producer Tracy's over there going, oh, my God, I can't believe you're asking these rudimentary questions.

[F]

I know.

[A]

Yet they've been teasing me all week because I'm the biggest Rachael Ray 30 minute meals $40 a day fan.

[C]

So exitivalent. That's fabulous.

[E]

And Jen's a big fan of your show.

[F]

Also big time fan. I actually brought my cookbook so that you could see all of the messes that made while the pages have been open in my kitchen.

[A]

And Jen, who gave you that cookbook?

[F]

Tracy did for Christmas last year.

[E]

Yes, there's gonna be a lot.

[C]

Did you guys get some of the new books?

[F]

I haven't gotten a new one yet, but I know that Tracy's got them.

[A]

Yeah, I have them.

[C]

Okay, good. So make sure you're hooked up.

[A]

I'm just curious about your day to day schedule because you've got three shows right now and you just came out with three new cookbooks. Where on earth are you fighting the time? Like, are you still filming 30 Minute Meals?

[C]

I don't sleep much. I tape 120 episodes a year of 30 Minute Meals. We tape four or three times a year, 40 episodes each time. I write all those several weeks ahead, so I'm always in production. I write a few meals every night, and then I turn in the meals several weeks ahead, they glom them all together, and we make four shows a day for a couple of weeks. Then I do 26 episodes a year of each of the other two shows. So I'm busy.

[E]

Yes.

[C]

I don't sleep a lot. I sleep about four hours a night. I work every night riding, and I tape or tour pretty much every day.

[A]

What's your favorite thing to cook?

[C]

Depends on the season, really. If it's the summer, I like a burger. If it's the winter, it'll be manasse or, you know, beans and greens or, you know, some kind of soup. You know, it depends. I don't really have a favorite food that's like, you know, that's your favorite song.

[G]

Sorry, Tracy, can I.

[D]

Yes, sir.

[G]

Just real quick.

[A]

Go ahead, Melissa. Sorry.

[G]

Tracy, do you ever have writer? You talk about writing recipes. I mean, you've got all these shows and all these books and I mean, do you ever have writer's block when it comes to recipe writing?

[C]

Not really because, you know, they're all just different variations on a theme. You know, I'll get a rundown of 40 needs from the station. They'll say we need five low carb, we need six pastas, you know, two kid friendly meals. And, you know, so I have a place to start from. And, you know, I've been cooking all my life. I'm 36 and I've been working in restaurants since I was 12. So, you know, once. Once you. You've been in the biz, you know, a long time. There's only so many ways to prepare a piece of chicken cutlet, and then it's just about updating the toppings or the sauces or whatever.

[A]

Jen, you have a question?

[F]

Thanks for your permission there, Tracy. Rachel, I'm curious. You said when you get to a home base, that we cook. And that means your husband, your fiance.

[C]

He's my fiance.

[G]

Fiance.

[C]

Signed paper. Ch. But he's pretty good to go, I think.

[F]

He is pretty good to go. Tell us about that. When are you getting married? All that good stuff.

[C]

He's a little hottie. We're gonna get married next September in Italy. His first word was more and my first word was vino. So we figured get married in a vineyard. My first word was vino, incidentally, because my grandfather used to take care of me during the day. I didn't like milk, so to quiet me down, he'd put water in a little bit of his wine in my bottle. He'd hold up a bottle and go, vino. Vino thought veno meant bottle. So anyway, everybody thought I was a good baby, and I was really just drunk all the time.

[F]

That is awesome.

[C]

Excellent.

[E]

Rachael Ray from the Food Network on the bird show.

[A]

Can I introduce her?

[E]

Go ahead and take it from here, sister.

[A]

You're listening to Rachel Ray from 30 Minute Meals. $40 a day, an inside dish on the Burt show on all the hits. Q100, in fact.

[C]

She did that really well.

[E]

She's very good.

[C]

9 0.

[E]

Here, listen to this. Why don't you go ahead again with the greeting. You ready? On three, two, one.

[G]

Stop.

[A]

Okay, I don't need you to help me look psycho. I can do that on my own.

[E]

Cheers on the way in. Go on.

[C]

Hi there.

[A]

I'm Rachel Ray and I make 30 minute meals. Now, that means in the time it takes you to watch this program, I'll have a delicious and healthy meal from start to finish.

[C]

Wow. Should I be afraid, Dude?

[E]

Very afraid.

[C]

I think I should have brought security or something.

[A]

I told you guys you shouldn't have made me do that.

[F]

Wow.

[C]

You do that very well, though. And I have no voice, so you can go fill in for me next run, maybe.

[A]

Perfect.

[E]

All right, let's do our cooking competition here. What we would like you to do is taste all the dishes. And as you taste them, one of them.

[C]

Is it a blind tasting? We don't know who's eating.

[E]

Exactly. Right, exactly. So after each dish, we would like you to comment on the dish. So as you're tasting that, you have to. And you have to be totally honest. You can't worry about hurting feelings. That's fine. We're big boys and girls. We just want your honest opinion.

[C]

This one's really good. Georgie, get a plastic fork.

[E]

What exactly is that? What are you tasting in there?

[C]

It's couscous and vegetables, and it's like a little mound. It's like a. It's like a little dumpling made out of couscous and vegetables. It's very yummy.

[G]

Okay, now, should we tell her the stipulation for each of these dishes?

[C]

Yeah. What's the criteria?

[E]

Oh, yeah.

[G]

We. After the Wolfgang pike thing, we thought we'd make it a little more challenging. And so the stipulation for all these dishes is they all had to be prepared in the microwave. There was no stove. You're not oven. Yeah, it's all microwave dishes.

[C]

It's delicious.

[E]

You're macking that one, so you must love that one.

[C]

I love it.

[E]

The second one.

[C]

Take a chip, George.

[E]

What you dipping into there, Rachel?

[C]

I don't know. Some sort of chili.

[E]

Okay.

[C]

Looks like some sort of chili. That's really good.

[E]

And again, describe exactly what you're eating. Cause black bean chili, maybe it's cooked.

[C]

Totally in the microwave. I'm thinking it's just black bean.

[E]

Everything here is cooked in the microwave.

[C]

I'm eating more. That's good.

[G]

Another bite.

[C]

I'm telling you, I'm very impressed.

[A]

It's awesome.

[E]

That's like three or four bites right there from Rachel, right? Okay.

[C]

Oh, this is tough, dude. They're so good. Now, this one is crazy. Look at this one. What is this, like, bacon cheese popcorn?

[E]

What is that now?

[C]

Bacon cheese popcorn.

[E]

Bacon cheese popcorn. We need to get you a mic because we can't hear you. Can we bring the other mic over here, please?

[C]

It's bacon and cheese popcorn now it's good. You know, she says the traffic guy did it.

[E]

What exactly are you eating there again?

[C]

But it's bacon and cheese on, I guess. Microwave popcorn with bacon and cheese. Okay. It's. What did you think of that one, Georgie?

[E]

Georgie?

[C]

I think the traffic guy made the baby.

[E]

All right.

[C]

It's good. Not as creative as the other ones, I feel, but it's. It's tasty. I mean, nothing not to like there. Okay, this one is odd.

[F]

Uhoh.

[C]

It's, it's probably going to be very tasty, but it, it looked like meatballs, but I think it's candy. Are they fudge meatballs? I don't know.

[E]

Candy balls. That's going to be good.

[C]

I, I, I don't think the plastic fork's going to do it. Yeah, you take that ball. I'll take this ball. Nice.

[E]

All right, your opinion of the candy balls.

[F]

We're all anxiously awake.

[E]

I know, right?

[C]

We're all like on pin.

[D]

That's good.

[C]

They're very tasty. That's peanut butter, cinnamon raisin candy balls. Those are some tasty balls.

[E]

I knew it was coming. I knew it was coming. I was just gonna be, I just wondered who was first.

[C]

That's why they made them so big. Those are some big tasty balls.

[E]

Those might have come from the traffic guy.

[C]

That's an excellent, excellent dessert.

[E]

All right, so you both were fans of the balls. Okay?

[C]

It is, it's very unique. It's very creative. And if they made that in the microwave, it's very impressive too. Yeah, it is. Yeah.

[E]

Okay.

[C]

Okay, now chocolate. This is, this is great for our figures, right? This is a nice way. Oh, wait, no. Now we have to go back to spaghetti. Oh, all right.

[E]

So you're going from the balls to a pasta dish.

[C]

Microwave pasta. That's. Now you. No way. Somebody cooked this in the microwave. You have to cook the pasta on the stove. Tuna fish. Is it really? I taste tuna. Tuna casserole. You think it's good?

[D]

Whatever.

[C]

It's got a kick to it. It's like chives. It's tasty or something. I would eat that. It is. It's good. Yeah, I love it. It's very good.

[E]

Okay, that is the pasta dish. And now you're on to.

[G]

It is.

[C]

It's like tuna casserole, but it's angel hair pasta. Yeah, it's good. That's good. Different last one, dessert.

[E]

These are in the form of just squares. These are not ball shaped. Dr.

[C]

I like the bitter. I like the bittersweet. I like the consistency. I don't like that grainy fudge. I like the consistency of that creamy. High marks for that.

[F]

Good.

[C]

Tons of nuts. Yeah, it's very well made.

[E]

All right, let's go from worst to best. Now, I know this is tough. Wolfgang had a tough time with this.

[C]

Also, I'm going to say, just because it was really creative and for presentation. No, not the microwave popcorn or the bacon and cheese. Georgie, the couscous.

[E]

The couscous is the best. Okay.

[C]

Just because it was so. Nice.

[E]

She's so excited.

[C]

Nice.

[E]

She's so excited.

[C]

Look for it in an upcoming 30 minute meal cookbook. Very, so very, very creative.

[E]

Congratulations.

[C]

I'm gonna say number two.

[F]

Yep.

[C]

Number two. I would say number two is the peanut balls.

[E]

Melissa Carter.

[F]

Melissa.

[C]

You see peanut balls. The girl who said she can't cook.

[G]

Yeah, I'm the maker of the candied balls.

[E]

Interestingly enough, Melissa is a lesbian.

[C]

Very, very. Yes.

[G]

So I made the candied balls for lesbian.

[A]

Nice.

[G]

There you go.

[C]

But I was venting.

[G]

But see, the thing is, I knew what you would like, so I was catering towards your needs, not mine.

[E]

We call it the irony dessert.

[C]

Very selfless.

[E]

So g. Okay, so the balls come in second. Nicely done.

[C]

And then it very, very tight. This was neck and neck. This awesome microwave made chili dish was fabulous.

[E]

Jen Hobby in third place aside, all the girls won.

[C]

I feel bad for the boys.

[G]

Don't.

[C]

Okay, then.

[A]

Next.

[C]

Yeah, the fudge is so creamy and delicious. That's number four, chef dollars. And then I think the tuna casserole. The tuna angel hair casserole. Number five.

[E]

That one was mine.

[C]

It's very nice. Now is that in fact a tuna angel hair casserole?

[E]

Well, no, it was pasta Roni that was made pasteroni in the microwave. And the tuna, it's actually salmon.

[C]

Oh, it's canned salmon.

[E]

It's salmon.

[C]

It's like. That tastes odd. It's like tuna. It tasted like tuna. It was good, though. But I think it's creative, actually. I thought it was good.

[E]

Okay, good job. And the last one in the competition.

[C]

Now this was not bad. I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but not. Not ultra creative There. Bacon, cheese popcorn.

[E]

But who did that one?

[C]

But cute.

[F]

But cute.

[C]

It is tasty, though.

[F]

The Bachelor.

[E]

Nice.

[F]

The Bachelor on the show.

[E]

All right, thank you very much for judging our competition. And you have made Tracy. I mean, my God.

[C]

Nicely done, Tracy. Thank you. She wins the opportunity to hear her impression again.

[E]

Would it be a dream come true for you to actually do the theme live with her together?

[A]

Rachel, will you do it?

[C]

Would you do that like a duet, please, for us?

[G]

Rachel, will you do it?

[F]

I'll try.

[C]

You know, I don't know. It's early. I'll probably flub my own line.

[A]

Would you like me to start?

[C]

Unbelievable.

[E]

Would you, like, go for it, girly? Would you like your theme music stalker?

[A]

Yes, please.

[E]

Okay, here we go.

[A]

Hi there. I'm Rachel, Trey and I make 30 minute meals. Now that means in the time it takes you to watch this program, I've.

[C]

Made a delicious and nutritious meal from start to finish.

[A]

I changed it.

[E]

We're gonna have to do this again.

[C]

Sometimes it's program and sometimes it's show, honey. We mix it up, we keep it fresh.

[A]

Don't do that to me.

[C]

You can't tell her how to introduce her own show.

[E]

Yeah, and Tracy doesn't handle change very well.

[C]

You shouldn't have let me go on in.

[E]

You wanna do it yourself?

[C]

Here, Tracy, take it again all by yourself, honey. Cause you won today. You're the rocker.

[A]

Thank you. Hi there. I'm Rachael Ray and I make 30 minute meals. Now that means in the time it takes you to watch this program, I'll have made a delicious and healthy meal from start to finish.

[C]

Nice.

[E]

Thank you, Rachel Ray. Nice having you in.

[C]

Really nicely done. Thanks, guys. I had a great time.

[B]

The only difference between you and them is that they have a radio show. The Burt show on all the hits. Q100. The Burt Show.

[F]

The Burt show on all the hits. Q100. And this, my friends, is chick chat. This is where we kick the guys out of the studio because, you know, the guys have had this segment for a couple of weeks now where the women get booted out of the studio and they give girls advice on guys. And so it's just an all guy panel. And we decided we need our own time too. So this is chick chat, the all girl panel. And it's gonna be really fun and.

[G]

We want you guys, can we give spirit fingers? Yay.

[F]

And Jessica here is here from Jessica Shops Atlanta. And Tracy is in the studio. And Melissa and I are gonna do some chick chat. Tracy's got a problem and we're gonna solve it.

[G]

Okay?

[A]

Okay, so here's the thing. This is a brand new problem for me. And it's something that I've never experienced. So I'm kind of traumatized by it, I guess. But I need more friends. Like, I'm constantly listening to Jen Hobby talk about like, you know, going out. You know, she has her. What is it, your Wednesday night.

[F]

Oh, the Hump Day Supper Club. Yeah.

[A]

Like, I'm so jealous of her. Hump Day Supper Club. I'm so jealous of all, like, you know, her little days out with her girlfriends and things like that. And all my life, I've always had lots of girlfriends, but it seems like at this point in my life, you know, being female, 26 years old, I don't know where to meet new girlfriends, you know, like going, you know, growing up, you always meet your girlfriends at school, and then all of a sudden you're in college and you're also working in restaurants. And there's always so many fun, cool people my age that it just, it kind of naturally evolves where all of a sudden you're hanging out with a group of people and then all of a sudden you're just hanging out and gossiping with the girls that are in that group of people. And now, like, I have this job and although, you know, I work with a lot of really, really cool people, I'm finding it hard to meet girls my age. And all the girls that I've been friends with in the past, you know, don't get me wrong, before they get angry at me because they're all, you know, really cool and I love hanging out with them, but they've all kind. Their lives have changed and they've got different priorities. You know, Quite a few of them are married now, Quite a few of them have children now. Quite a few of them live really far away. So I just need, like, some new girlfriends, some new girlfriends to have my hump day supper club with.

[G]

I don't think that's a unique problem. I think there's a lot of women in Atlanta that feel that way, you know.

[A]

Well, so my question is, where on earth do you meet other girls your own age to hang out with? And then once you do find a new cute, cool girl that you think, huh, we could be friends, how do you ask her out on a quote unquote date? Yeah, a friend date. Because I've come across that before where I meet a girl and I'm like, oh, she seems cool. We're about the same age, have the same kind of lifestyle, but I've just met her. How do I say, hey, wanna go out sometime?

[H]

I don't think that you can just ask a girl that you meet one time to go out and do something with you. I think it has to be a natural progression where you kind of run into that person a couple of times because otherwise they might think that it's kind of weird. I mean, I know that when I meet new girls, if they come on really strong, I think that it's. It's almost like a desperate thing. Like, I'm wondering, why do you. Why do you want to hang out with me so badly? But I usually meet people, if I see them more than once, then it kind of just. It's a natural thing so you kind of say, hey, you want to go to a movie sometime? But the first meeting, I don't know. Like, if you have a class, like, if you're going to an aerobics class with someone or spin class and you see that person repeatedly, I think it just evolves into that. I don't think you can meet somebody one time and then. And then ask them to do something right.

[F]

And then go for it. Well, I think April shares your problem. April.

[I]

Hey, I actually have the same exact issue. I had, like, a million friends throughout high school, and then just after graduation, and then up until recently, in these last couple years, I'm down to, like, four or six friends. And I. I don't know, we just all kind of floated in an opposite direction. And recently myself, I've been kind of couple shopping, if you will, with my fiance, trying to see. Because he's in the same boat that we are, too, so it's not just a girl thing. But it has been really hard to kind of just pick up and ask people to hang out. They're kind of doing their own thing or off with their own little cliques. The gym thing does actually work, though. I've been going to hip hop with the same girl, and then I found out that we actually hate the same roommate that we both used to have.

[G]

That's funny.

[I]

What advantage. But that's really the only thing I have. So whatever you guys come up with, I'm sure it'll help more than one person in Atlanta. And not just females, too, because my fiance, as well as my brother and a couple of friends I know are, like, in the same boat as you are.

[G]

I think that some advice that I've given on people, and this is not necessarily about the girlfriend thing, but just somebody who wants to meet friends and not interested in finding somebody to date necessarily. But I think that she hit on something because I think we're so often we are in the mode of finding somebody to go out with and date, and we find them in bars. And of course, you can't find a new. You know, you're not gonna find a new best friend in a bar, right? Cause that's gonna be weird. So I think that when she said the gym, like, you tap into what you're interested in and you do those activities. So whether it's if you're a big rock climber or if you're somebody who loves to work out, then be active in that activity, and you will naturally meet people, you know, at these events. If you're somebody who loves nonprofit work or volunteering for certain organizations or certain causes are close to your heart, then volunteer with that organization on different things. And when you're there, then you meet people who are naturally involved in that same type of interest in that cause. And that can be something that you have in common and you can spark a friendship with. So I think it's the non bar, non alcoholic activities that could be an avenue for some people.

[A]

But I want like a click, you know, like, everybody has like a little clique. Like Jen, you have a whole group of friends that come together for this dinner thing, you know, and Jessica, I think you guys kind of have a little couple click.

[H]

We do.

[A]

So, yeah, I want like a group of girls. Like, I don't want, you know, like, don't get me wrong, I'm, you know, kind of desperate. I'll take one friend at this point.

[H]

But so if you want to go.

[A]

Out with me, call me. But like, I want a group of friends that's all gonna get along together because it seems like even the friends that I do have now, like, they don't all, like, they're such different groups of friends. You know, I can't take out, you know, my friend, my best friend Melissa doesn't typically hang out with my best friend, you know, my other best friend Jana, or Jana doesn't typically hang out with you, Alicia, or, you know, things like that. So I want, not only do I want more individual friends just to go out and, you know, shop with or take a yoga class with, but maybe even like a whole clique of friends that we can all go out together.

[G]

But the thing is, when you meet that one person, that person may already have an established clique that you can absorb into. So the thing is, just meeting one person is going to open up so many new doors for you on new friends.

[F]

Hey, Stephanie, you've got some advice for us?

[J]

Yeah. Hi. Thanks for having me on. I'm actually 35, I'm a working mom, and my friends and I have actually just been discussing this exact issue. And it's like we want to do our own thing. And I think you don't have to look as far as finding new people. I think you have to look within what you have today. And they're not. My friends are usually not my age. I mean, I'm a young mom with a six and a nine year old. So I've got lots of friends that are 10 years older than I am. So I think Melissa's right in terms of getting involved and different things. That you already have interest because you'll easily meet. But it's also looking within those people and saying, how common are my interests and how common are the interests within each other. Because sometimes you'll find that your best friend, Melissa, and your other best friend actually have more similarities than you'd think. You know?

[A]

Right. That's great advice. I mean, I'm definitely considering looking into some different types of organizations and classes and things like that. But I'm kind of like, I've. I've been in these situations in the past where I've taken, you know, like, I did boot camp with Phil, and there were lots of girls in there my age that I probably could have hung out with. And I saw them on a consistent basis every single day. But I never got around to saying, hey, wanna hang out sometime? Cause then in my mind, I'm thinking, well, she sees me every day and she hasn't asked me to hang out, so maybe she doesn't want to.

[G]

But other people maybe had the same thing as you. And I just had this funny thought. We should start a, you know, an online thing, like, you know, instead of match.com, like friends.com?

[F]

Hey, Molly. Yeah, what's up?

[I]

Hey. I was just gonna say, I mean, like y' all just said, it seems like everybody. Everybody has this need to find somebody. So just strike up a conversation about that. You know, just saying.

[A]

You know, nobody's.

[F]

Gonna want to be.

[A]

Nobody's gonna want to be my friend. If I say I have none, will you be mine?

[I]

Well, I don't know.

[J]

I think that would.

[I]

Then let people feel it's not that you don't have friends. I don't think that it looks that pathetic. I think it's just kind of. You say exactly how you feel. I don't think it sounds sad at all. It's just the way things work out now. A lot of people can relate to that.

[H]

But don't you think it's like. Don't you think meeting girlfriends is like when you meet a new guy? I mean, you don't click with every girl you meet. You can't force it. Just like you don't click with every guy. If you're a single girl and you meet a guy, you cannot force it. I mean, it's a different level, but at the same time, you're going to meet a lot of girls in boot camp, for example, that you can't stand.

[G]

Are you ever personal experience there, Jess?

[A]

No, of just not.

[H]

And then you're gonna meet, you know, then there's gonna be that one that is kind of like you, and then you click and then you, you know, and then you might hang out with her and then meet her group of friends that are gonna be like her, which is gonna be like you. Don't you think you are attracted to people who are like you?

[F]

Yeah. And it does, it does come easily when you do meet a new friend. You're like, oh my God, conversation is easy and that sort of thing. I think Tracy wants to know kind of like where to get that conversation started.

[H]

Right. I think Melissa had a great point with joining groups that interest you, because then you're gonna meet other people who are interested in the same things you are, who will probably have a better chance of being like you.

[F]

Hey, Jennifer.

[I]

Yeah. I think this is a perfect opportunity to put something together, like a forum of people without friends.

[F]

Like what Melissa was saying, like something online or like more of like a party or something.

[I]

I know Melissa was talking about, you know, do something where there's no alcohol and do something where your interests are. If you could post it on the website and do like a party that doesn't have that, that way everybody's still in their right mind and everybody's talking about what their interests are. And you could find someone like that.

[G]

Because, I mean, the reason I bring that up because I get emails all the time from people who ask this question and that's the best I can come up with because some of my good friends have come from other activities. Activities. So, you know, and work. You know, A lot of my friends, though, that I still have been friends with for a decade are people that I used to work with because I think in a work environment it just naturally happens because you spend so much time at work. But I think also if you, if you tap into what you're interested in, I think, as traci says, a 26 year old woman who is just learning about the things that mean the most to her and then you tap into that and then do these activities. I think you broaden your own the way you feel about yourself as well as you meet people who can be like core friends for you for the rest of your life.

[A]

So basically what we need to do then is I need to join activities that, you know, might have other girls my age. Then I need to not ask them out so quickly, as per Jessica's advice.

[F]

Don't be desperate.

[A]

And then I just need to get over the sweaty palms nervousness and just ask them out on a friend date.

[F]

And the bird show needs to throw a party. Women seeking women that they don't want to date.

[A]

Tracy needs my friends.

[F]

Okay, sounds good. Hey, Erica.

[C]

Is she there?

[I]

I am Rowan in the same boat you are. I will be your friend.

[C]

That's crazy. Erica wants to be your friend.

[I]

I have all my girlfriends just like yours. They're either married or they're having babies and different priorities and I understand that. And I also have a lot of gay guy friends and I'm like, how can I meet other cool chicks and other guys even that I want to date when I'm hanging out with a bunch of gay guys?

[A]

You know, Erica's. I mean, email at Tracy, all the hits. Q100.com definitely.

[I]

And it's totally weird and we don't have anything in common. We'll be like, you know what? Peace out. I'll go this way and we'll never talk to each other again.

[F]

Perfect.

[I]

And we'll just see where it feels so weird to talk to a girl and go.

[F]

I think we got a good idea here though. We'll do the. We'll do the friendless party. We'll talk to the boys about it and and get it planned.

[E]

The Bird show.

[B]

This holiday, Verizon is giving you incredible gifts and savings you'll enjoy all year. When you Switch, you'll get four two iPhone 17 Pros. No trade in needed. That's right, get four lines for just 25 a line and the amazing iPhone 17 Pro for everyone. Save big this holiday. Visit Verizon today. 20 monthly promo credits applied to account of 35 months with a new line on unlimited welcome. In times of congestion, unlimited 5G and 4G LTE may be temporarily slower than other traffic domestic data roaming at 2G speeds. Additional terms apply for phone offer. See verizon.com for details.

[D]

Ever wonder why so many people regain weight after stopping a GLP1? Up to 40% of the weight lost can come from lean muscles muscle. This weakens the body, slows metabolism and makes it easier to put the pounds back on, creating a cycle of dependency. Prolon's five day fasting mimicking diet offers a drug free way to maintain results and support long term metabolic health in just five days. It activates fasting pathways to burn fat, protect muscle and rejuvenate cells all while letting you enjoy real food. Get 15% off plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe at prolonlife.com start that's prolon on life.

[C]

Com start Verbo helps you swap gift wrap time. For quality time go to Verbo now and book a last minute week long stay and save over $390 this holiday season. Book your next vacation rental home on verbo average savings $396 select homes only.