Podcast Summary: Two Hot Takes - Episode 183: "Things Are Not Swell.. Ft. Amanda Swell Entertainment"

Host: Morgan Absher
Guest: Amanda Gulka from Swell Entertainment
Release Date: September 19, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 183 of Two Hot Takes, host Morgan Absher is joined by Amanda Gulka from Swell Entertainment. The duo dives deep into a series of compelling Am I the Asshole (AITA) stories sourced from Reddit and listener submissions. Together, they dissect relationship dilemmas, family conflicts, and ethical quandaries, providing insightful and often candid perspectives.

Sponsor Segment: Peloton

Morgan Absher kicks off the episode with a sponsorship spotlight on Peloton, highlighting its diverse range of training programs beyond cycling, including Pilates, running, strength training, and boot camps. She emphasizes the motivational prowess of Peloton's instructors and the community-driven competition on the leaderboards.

[00:00] Morgan: "Find your push, find your power with Peloton at peloton.com."

Guest Introduction and Banter

Morgan introduces Amanda Gulka, praising her content's neutrality and depth, particularly highlighting Amanda’s video on overconsumption which resonated personally with Morgan.

[02:16] Morgan: "Your content is so refreshing... your video on overconsumption really got me thinking."

The conversation flows into light-hearted banter about Amanda’s recent activities, including attending the Lumberjack World Championships and her participation in various conventions, showcasing her diverse interests.

Main Content: AITA Stories Analysis

1. Relationship Imbalance and Infidelity

Story Overview:
A man in his late 20s confesses to an affair that began after his marriage lost its spark. Now, he grapples with his new girlfriend's indifference towards family responsibilities and her prioritization of personal fun over partnership.

Discussion Highlights:

• Amanda Gulka critiques the man's decision to prioritize an affair over his stable marriage, pointing out significant red flags in his girlfriend's behavior.

  [11:09] Amanda Gulka: "You blew up your life. Your wife clearly loved and adored you and your kid... Your girlfriend's complacent because you blew up your marriage."

• Morgan Absher emphasizes accountability, advising the man to acknowledge his mistakes and move on.

  [12:53] Morgan: "You're an idiot. ... Thank you to your wife for being great."

Notable Quotes:

• Amanda Gulka: "She won't be [like his wife]."
• Morgan Absher: "You're not the asshole... You deserve better."

2. Family Conflict Over Ashes and Parental Neglect

Story Overview:
A woman confronts her brother and his wife for not participating in caring for their ailing mother, leading to a heated argument over custody of their mother's ashes after her passing.

Discussion Highlights:

• Amanda Gulka condemns the brother and sister-in-law's behavior, highlighting the irresponsibility and lack of empathy shown towards their mother.

  [20:43] Amanda Gulka: "You deserve nothing. They have the same energy as my younger sister... I'm really hoping some people that."

• Morgan Absher echoes the sentiment, criticizing their public accusations against the sister.

  [24:25] Morgan: "She needs help... No, no, no, no, no, no."

Notable Quotes:

• Amanda Gulka: "You need to press charges. ... I'm so sorry."
• Morgan Absher: "They're unhinged... She needs help."

3. Protecting a Dog from a Psychopathic Sister

Story Overview:
A 25-year-old woman recounts her little sister's recurring violent behavior towards family pets, leading her to take drastic measures to protect her new puppy.

Discussion Highlights:

• Amanda Gulka strongly advises the woman not to label her sister as a psychopath without professional evaluation but acknowledges the severity of the behavior.

  [61:42] Amanda Gulka: "No. Absolutely not. ... Your sister is a violence, is a terror to animals."

• Morgan Absher emphasizes the importance of legal action and protection, advocating for restraining orders and notifying authorities.

  [71:56] Morgan: "Get out while you can... This is time to go out and have dinner with friends."

Notable Quotes:

• Amanda Gulka: "Don't want this kid anywhere near a dog... It's insane."
• Morgan Absher: "This is happening for you... She is safe."

Additional Stories and Updates

4. Metal Detecting Success Story

Story Overview:
A listener shares the thrilling experience of finding a genuine gold ring in her backyard using a metal detector. The discovery leads to a heartwarming reunion with her landlord's wife, who had lost the ring years ago.

Discussion Highlights:

• Both hosts express excitement and admiration for the serendipitous find.

  [117:42] Morgan Absher: "Absolutely not. It’s so cute and so excited."

Notable Quotes:

• Amanda Gulka: "There's hope out there... It was awesome."

5. AITA: Prioritizing Sister's Wedding Over Girlfriend's Birthday

Story Overview:
A man faces an ultimatum from his girlfriend to choose between attending her milestone birthday celebration or his sister's wedding, which was rescheduled due to family health issues.

Discussion Highlights:

• Amanda Gulka supports the decision to prioritize the sister's wedding, especially given the extenuating circumstances.

  [39:51] Morgan Absher: "It’s your 21st. It’s big, but the wedding is once in a lifetime."

• With updates, Morgan reveals the girlfriend's manipulative behavior post-wedding, further solidifying Amanda’s advice to end the relationship.

Notable Quotes:

• Amanda Gulka: "It’s not worth it. Get out of this relationship."
• Morgan Absher: "You deserve love and happiness."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Throughout Episode 183, Morgan Absher and Amanda Gulka provide candid, no-nonsense advice on complex relationship and family issues. Their discussions underscore the importance of accountability, setting boundaries, and prioritizing personal well-being. Amanda’s passionate insights complement Morgan’s empathetic approach, creating a balanced and engaging dialogue for listeners seeking guidance on similar dilemmas.

[127:24] Amanda Gulka: "You deserve to have a partner that's an actual partner and not a burden."

The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to reflect on their relationships and make empowered decisions towards healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Stay Connected

Morgan Absher and Amanda Gulka encourage listeners to follow them on social media for more exclusive content:

• Morgan’s Instagram: @morgsyabsher
• Amanda’s Channels:
  • Instagram, Twitter: @LoveYouToGolka
  • YouTube, Twitch: Swell Entertainment
  • Patreon: Exclusive Stories

Watch Full Episodes: YouTube Channel
Support the Podcast: Patreon

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions of the episode.