The JTrain Podcast – “Reddit Comments, December Birthdays, and Bringing the Main Dish to Christmas!!”

Episode Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Jared Freid
Theme: Ticked Off Tuesday – A safe space for listeners to vent about their gripes, from social media comments and “birthday tyrants” to odd party traditions and the cultural climate of constant criticism.

Episode Overview

On this special “Ticked Off Tuesday,” comedian Jared Freid unleashes a comedic, relatable rant about the minor and major irritations that make up modern life. From social media commenters policing his political jokes, to the absurdities of December birthday demands and family holiday hosting etiquette, Jared commiserates with listener complaints and offers his own hilarious takes. This episode is packed with personal anecdotes, pointed observations on digital culture, and listener-submitted gripes, striking a balance between venting, empathy, and laughter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Agony of Thoughtless Online Comments

[01:09–15:10]

• Social Media Rage: Jared discusses his frustration with online commenters, specifically those who accuse him of getting “too political” when he makes jokes about universally silly things—like RFK Jr. posting a video of himself doing pull-ups as a “health solution”.
  • Key Insight: “It annoys me that everyone gets to have an opinion no matter how thoughtless it is.” – Jared [03:45]
  • On talking about politics: “This isn't political to me. This is dumb person does dumb thing that I disagree with.” – Jared [05:19]
• Performative Outrage Culture: Jared draws parallels to comedians who say things for shock value just to elicit a reaction: “There’s people I have to go on stage after where I’m watching them do an act that they don’t believe in.”
• Relatability and Over-Sharing: He touches on posting vulnerable thoughts about aging and relationships (e.g., realizing he'd be 60 when his future kids graduate high school) and being bombarded with unsolicited pep talks and bizarre responses.
  • "I didn’t announce to the world how hungry I am so that I can eat a melon because it’s sweet as sugar. No." [06:55]
• Clothing Comments: Irritation at people focusing on unimportant details (like hats) in the comments: “Nobody put something on Instagram as a comedian hoping for a comment on their clothing. Nobody.” [14:03]

Memorable Moments

• The “pull-up bar at the airport” example recurs as a symbol of performative health advice and trolling solutions.
• “That’s the same as when someone says ‘I’m hungry’ and someone goes ‘Do you want some fruit?’” [06:44]

2. Comparing Foods: ‘Health’ Food vs. Fast Food

[15:15–18:29]

• Annoyance at Food Guilt Stories: Jared complains about news stories comparing the fat content of a “healthy” Pura Vida tuna sandwich to two Big Macs and the culture of shaming food choices.
  • Quote: “How about you leave us alone? …Stop bothering people with the things that they like.” [17:03]
• Underlying Issue: He sees this as part of a broader trend of internet “cut downs” designed to make people feel bad for their preferences, from food to airport routines.

3. Airport Etiquette: Superstitions and Jinxes

[18:30–20:10]

• Travel Taboos: A personal gripe about fellow airline passengers jinxing an empty middle seat before the plane doors close.
  • Quote: “How about you shut the fuck up until the door closes? …Let’s not say anything that will upset the travel gods.” [19:02]
• Broader Point: Don’t ruin someone’s small joys by drawing attention to them too soon.

4. December Birthdays: The ‘Birthday Tyrant’ Phenomenon

[30:30–41:55]

• Listener Complaint: Jared dives into the tyranny of friends with December birthdays demanding large, inconvenient celebrations, especially amid holiday stress.
• Host’s Philosophy: He condemns high-pressure birthday expectations, arguing that true friendships shouldn’t hinge on big group gestures.
  • Quote: “If your birthday is the most interesting part about you, you need to find new hobbies.” [36:30]
• Advice: The ideal adult birthday is a no-pressure event: “Hey, I’m gonna be at this bar on this night…Meet up if you can.” [39:48]
• Notable Rant: “No one wants to feel like they owe someone. That’s not a good friendship.” [34:17]

5. Gifts for Kids: Impractical Laundry Instructions

[41:56–48:15]

• Listener Rant: A mother complains about receiving baby clothes that are “delicate or dry clean only,” which is unrealistic for households with two toddlers.
• Jared’s Take: Agrees wholeheartedly and suggests that “fun uncle” types (like him) buy outlandish gifts without realizing they’re impractical.
  • Quote: “Companies should make all kids clothing with material that can be washed regularly with everything else.” [46:01]
• Solution: High-end gifts should consider the parents’ practical needs, not just aesthetics or price.

6. Reddit’s “Mind Virus” and Reviewing Podcasts

[48:16–63:23]

• Listener Experience: A listener shares how venturing into podcast subreddits ruined their enjoyment by planting negative opinions about hosts in their head.
• Jared’s Analysis:
  • Reddit is “victim porn” for anonymous negativity.
  • The toxic culture can change perceptions for no productive reason.
  • “If our perception is our reality, why not keep it as positive as much as we can?” – Listener quote [55:24]
  • “The opinions of others are not my business. Is that the line?” – Jared [59:56]
• Personal Impact: Jared reflects on his own experiences being targeted in subreddits: “Sometimes it feels like the Redditors are harder on me than anyone would be on me…” [60:23]

7. Holiday Hosting Etiquette: Who Pays for the Main Dish?

[63:24–End]

• Listener Dilemma: Complains about being assigned to pay for half the meat at Christmas (a tradition originally started because their mother-in-law, now deceased, paid for it as her contribution).
• Jared’s Verdict:
  • “Because grandma paid for the meat doesn’t mean you should have to pay for the meat.”
  • “Don’t call this a tradition…That’s you trying to put lipstick on a pig.” [70:40]
  • The host gets to assign duties, but shouldn’t dress up new cost-sharing as inherited family “tradition.”

Notable Quotes

• On Keyboard Warriors:
  “If it’s a person or a team that you’ve signed up for and now you find out I’m against your team somehow because I disagree with one thing they just did, you are mentally fucked. You’ve joined a cult.” [07:31]
• On Performing for Outrage:
  “There’s people I have to go on stage after where I’m watching them do an act that they don’t believe in. They’re saying these things because they know it will gain a reaction.” [03:37]
• On Adult Birthdays:
  “No one hates you. No one cares about you. That’s why you’re having a 14 person birthday party.” [35:53]
• On Party Etiquette:
  “If your birthday is the most interesting part about you, you need to find new hobbies, you need to find new interests.” [36:30]
• On Reddit:
  “Reddit is a place for...victim nerd porn for people that never leave the house.” [51:09]
• On Hosting Christmas:
  “Don’t call this a tradition…That’s you trying to put lipstick on a pig and be like, ‘Oh look at you! You get to pay for half the meat!’” [70:40]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp (MM:SS) | |---------|-------------------| | Social Media, Pull-Up Bar, and Opinion Overload | 01:09–15:10 | | Fat Shaming, Health Food vs Big Mac | 15:15–18:29 | | Airport Etiquette/Jinxes | 18:30–20:10 | | December Birthday Tyrants | 30:30–41:55 | | Impractical Kid Gifts | 41:56–48:15 | | Reddit Mind Virus & Podcast Perception | 48:16–63:23 | | Holiday Host Meat Payment Fiasco | 63:24–End |

Tone & Style

Jared maintains a direct, conversational, and empathetic tone—equal parts exasperated, self-aware, and affably blunt. The episode moves quickly but thoroughly through each gripe, with plenty of asides, callbacks, and relatable analogies that keep listeners engaged (and laughing) even when the subjects are petty or familiar.

Closing Thoughts

This “Ticked Off Tuesday” episode is a quintessential dose of Jared Freid—honest, neurotic, and always searching for solidarity in life’s little annoyances. Whether you’re tired of social media performativity, frustrated by friends’ birthday expectations, or caught up in awkward family traditions, this episode offers validation, laughter, and a reminder not to sweat the trolls—online or at the dinner table.