The Joe Budden Podcast
Episode 924 | "Reasonable Expectations"
Release Date: April 29, 2026
Overview
This episode is a quintessential gathering of the Joe Budden Podcast crew, joined by Mark Lamont Hill and the usual cast—Flip, Corey, Parks, Freeze, and more. They serve up their signature blend of barbershop banter, relationship hot takes, cultural analysis, and absurd group chemistry. The central theme explores “Reasonable Expectations” in relationships—sparked by the high-profile breakup between Megan Thee Stallion and NBA star Klay Thompson—but the episode also delves into party recaps, celebrity drama, current events (including a White House incident), and lighthearted self-roasting.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The “Wendy Williams for 40-Year-Old Dudes” Joke & Demographics
- Reaction to Public Criticism (00:37–03:04)
The team reacts to a viral tweet branding the podcast "The Wendy Williams Show for 30+ (or 40+) dudes." Rather than being offended, they embrace the comparison as a testament to their influence and penchant for gossip.
- Joe Budden: “Wendy Williams is an all-time great to me. I be like, nah, they hit that on the head. They feeling us.” (01:27)
- Discussion of their large younger (18–35) audience, defying stereotypes.
2. Barbershop Banter, Inside Jokes, and Set Talk
- Classic Episodes and Dynamics (03:23–11:01)
- The team humorously debates whether their best episodes come from adversarial (“petty, classic” arguments) or harmonious energy.
- Parks: “Do ya’ll think we can have a classic without being adversarial?” (10:02)
- Reflection on memorable past episodes (“oxtails” and “day after Thanksgiving”) and how chemistry drives viral moments.
- Set Changes & Spending Habits (04:01–06:34)
- Playful discussion about tables, set aesthetics, saving money, and being “popped” (broke) after tax season.
- Joe Budden: “At this point, it’s not about earning more. It’s about preserving.” (05:14)
3. Party Storytime: Parks’ Wife’s Birthday Party
Segment: 19:07–36:00
- Extended, hilarious recap of a friend's birthday party—brunch woes, awkward speeches, best-friend drama, and nostalgia for 2016 Jersey house music.
- The “male best friend” speech raises classic relationship insecurities and possessive instincts.
- Flip: “If my man’s wife is around, that’s our wife. Sorry.” (26:19)
- Clowning on overdressed emotional speeches, “Patterson Nutcrackers,” and family dynamics.
4. Relationship Rules, Social Etiquette, & Ex-Drama
Segment: 35:27–41:58
- Spirited debate on:
- Whether you can invite exes (or people you’ve slept with) to your birthday.
- If it’s ever appropriate for your girl/guy to be cool with their ex’s friends.
- Joe Budden: “There’s nobody that should be at my birthday party that my girl knows I slept with.” (36:02)
- Nuanced perspectives: Some feel time heals all, others say boundaries are critical (“Happy Birthday, Craig!” becomes a running joke).
5. Headline Topic: Megan Thee Stallion & Klay Thompson Breakup
Segment: 45:18–76:14
The Story:
- Megan announces the breakup on IG, accusing Klay of cheating and “not knowing if he can be monogamous.”
- She ends her Broadway run early, amid public and fan drama.
The Reaction:
- Empathy for Megan: The team is largely sympathetic, noting the loss of stability/family in her life and the culture of public heartbreak.
- Joe Budden: “People cheat every day. NBA players, stars...I’m not celebrating this lady’s breakup.” (51:16)
- Internet Frenzy:
- Both sides—stans and haters—project, analyze, and celebrate/condemn.
- Freeze: “People were making infographics about all the dudes she allegedly slept with. It’s weird.” (52:32)
- Reasonable Expectations in Relationships (62:11–76:14)
- Lively debate: Is it “naive” for Megan (or anyone) to expect monogamy from a wealthy, famous NBA star?
- Joe Budden: “Would it be naive to think that man we just described is committed in less than six months to monogamy?” (66:53)
- Freeze: “I think it’s reasonable to expect that somebody will keep their word, especially if it’s the nice guy.” (66:43)
- Nuanced insight: “Patterns are important...Love bombing is a real thing. Some dudes are assassins.” (85:53)
Key Quotes:
- Corey: “Just because you get invited to Thanksgiving doesn’t mean you’re locked in for life!” (78:11)
- Mark Lamont Hill: “Do you really mean it from your heart as a man, or are you just saying you’re older now, so you look at things different?” (85:55)
6. Culture Recap: White House Shooting Scare & Political Satire
Segment: 101:13–114:49
- Recap and reaction to an incident involving an attempted White House shooting during the Correspondents’ Dinner.
- Skepticism about the “convenient timing” of the incident for Trump, media theatrics, and outlandish security failures.
- Freeze: “This is the closest I've ever been to thinking it was bullshit...if you try to kill me twice, my security should be extra good, not extra lax.” (109:22)
7. Jimmy Kimmel Joke Controversy & Political Correctness
Segment: 112:02–114:49
- Discussion of Jimmy Kimmel’s “expectant widow” joke about Melania Trump, right-wing outrage, and calls for his firing after the White House scare.
- The pod asserts joke was in bounds; hypocrisy of politicians criticized.
- Ish: “The President says worse shit than a nighttime comedian correspondent.” (113:08)
- Joe Budden: “If you’re watching late night TV, there should be a reasonable expectation that you’ll hear a joke like that.” (114:19)
8. Creator Independence and Negotiation Drama
Segment: 116:25–126:26
- Shoutout to Speedy’s departure from Complex to go independent.
- Joe Budden: “I’m rooting for any creator that is on some, you know what? It’s time for me to go out there and hunt my own food type shit.” (117:01)
- VladTV disputes: Aries Spears tries to renegotiate pay based on Boosie’s contract, but the crew laughs off his lack of leverage.
- Flip: “Your name is cold as hell. You ain’t got leverage, beverage, or nothing else that rhymes with leverage.” (122:51)
9. Sports Updates & Petty NFL Draft Drama
Segment: 148:00–152:19
- The Cowboys allegedly sabotage the Steelers in the draft (the “petty draft day maneuver”), delighting competitive spirits.
- Joe Budden: “I didn’t like it when the Cowboys did it to us, but I do like that petty shit.” (151:58)
10. Music & Media: Songwriter List and New Releases
Segment: 144:51–148:17
- Debate over New York Times’ “Top 30 Living American Songwriters,” inclusion of Young Thug, absence of pivotal behind-the-scenes writers like Brian Michael Cox or Jermaine Dupri.
- Parks: “I’m not putting him [Young Thug] in Dolly Parton’s category on the same list.” (148:12)
- Quick takes on upcoming Drake numbers, Chris Brown releases, and industry hype.
11. Random Gems & Notable Moments
Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)
- “[Wendy Williams] is an all-time great to me. I be like, nah, they hit that on the head. They feeling us.” – Joe Budden (01:27)
- “Would it be naive to think that man we just described is committed in less than six months to monogamy?” – Joe Budden (66:53)
- “Love bombing is a real thing. Some dudes are assassins!” – Mark Lamont Hill (85:53)
- “Patterns are important ... Sometimes you just gotta take some accountability for that shit.” – Freeze (83:32)
- “People were making infographics about all the dudes she allegedly slept with. It’s weird.” – Freeze (52:32)
- “People cheat every day. NBA players, stars...I'm not celebrating this lady’s breakup.” – Joe Budden (51:16)
- “If you’re watching late night TV, there should be a reasonable expectation that you’ll hear a joke like that.” – Joe Budden (114:19)
- “Don’t say Happy Birthday to Craig!” (recurring joke, 41:00+)
- “Shout-out to everybody going through a breakup. Our hearts are with you ... Just avoid the ‘memories’ folder in your phone.” – Flip (170:50)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Wendy Williams for 40-Year-Old Dudes: 00:37–03:04
- Classic Episode Chemistry & Adversarial Energy: 03:23–11:01
- Party Recap / Male Best Friend Speech Drama: 19:07–36:00
- Exes & Relationship Social Rules: 35:27–41:58
- Megan Thee Stallion & Klay Thompson Breakup Analysis: 45:18–76:14
- White House Shooting Scare: 101:13–114:49
- Kimmel Joke, Political Correctness: 112:02–114:49
- Creator Independence / VladTV-Related Drama: 116:25–126:26
- Songwriter List Controversy: 144:51–148:17
- NFL Draft Petty Drama: 148:00–152:19
- Show Close, Breakup Advice: 170:50–end
Final Thoughts
This episode captures the infectious, irreverent vibe that made the Joe Budden Podcast a cultural staple—advice, empathy, insider stories, often-absurd humor, and almost always a healthy dose of relationship therapy-meets-roasting. The real “reasonable expectation”? A podcast with something wild (and surprisingly wise) for everyone.
