Podcast Summary: Two Hot Takes – Episode 204: "Love It or Leave It."
Release Date: February 20, 2025
Host: Morgan Absher
Co-Hosts: Lauren and Justin
Introduction
In Episode 204 of Two Hot Takes, host Morgan Absher and her co-hosts Lauren and Justin delve into the complex emotions surrounding Valentine's Day. Titled "Love It or Leave It," the episode explores the pressures and dynamics that this holiday brings to relationships, supplemented by juicy listener stories sourced from Reddit, AITA, and other online platforms.
Valentine’s Day: Love It or Hate It
[00:27 - 04:38]
Morgan sets the stage by discussing how Valentine's Day can evoke strong feelings—either positive or negative—especially for those in relationships where expectations might not align.
Lauren reminisces about her childhood Valentine's experiences, sharing heartwarming memories of her mother decorating the kitchen and surprising her with "secret admirer" bouquets.
“I've always had such a really wonderful feeling around the holiday because so many of it was like, my mom making it just fun.”
[02:47]
Justin critiques the commercialization and pressure of Valentine's Day, likening it to another spotlighted day that amplifies both love and loneliness.
“Shouldn't every day kind of be a little piece of Valentine's Day that you build up the entire year instead of just having, like, this one spotlighted day.”
[01:32]
The trio debates the gendered aspects of the holiday, with Lauren suggesting that celebrations like Galentine's Day are less common among men, sparking humorous exchanges about naming a male-centric celebration.
Listener Stories and Discussions
1. AITA: Partner Threatened by Father’s Valentine’s Card
[05:00 - 12:09]
A 26-year-old woman shares her frustration over her 28-year-old male partner's negative reaction to her father sending her Valentine’s cards annually. Despite having a baby together for five months and being in a 16-month relationship, the partner feels threatened by these gestures from her father.
Morgan condemns the partner’s insecurity:
“I think he's pathetic.”
[06:05]
Lauren echoes Morgan's sentiments, highlighting the sweetness of the father's actions:
“It's so sweet.”
[06:21]
Justin emphasizes the importance of thoughtful gestures in relationships, advocating for setting higher standards:
“I think collectively we should all just raise the bar a bit.”
[07:26]
The hosts unanimously agree that the partner's behavior is a red flag, urging listeners to value and expect meaningful expressions of love.
2. Relationship Advice: Repeated Earring Gifts Spark Resentment
[12:13 - 26:35]
A listener describes her husband gifting her the identical pair of earrings she has worn daily for two years, leading her to feel invisible and unappreciated.
Lauren relates the situation to differing love languages, suggesting that if gift-giving is crucial for her partner's sense of being loved, he needs to adapt.
“If somebody is wearing something every single day, that's kind of nuts.”
[14:14]
Morgan advocates for setting clear expectations and not settling for repeated, unthoughtful gifts:
“Don't let the bar be set low for you. You deserve it.”
[26:08]
Updates reveal that the husband acknowledged his mistake by exchanging the earrings and adding an additional set as an apology, showcasing the potential for growth and understanding in relationships.
3. AITA: Husband’s Excessive Drinking Ruins Valentine’s Night
[23:20 - 38:00]
A 32-year-old woman recounts how her husband’s excessive drinking on Valentine’s Day led him to falsely accuse her of drug use, severely straining their relationship.
Lauren identifies the behavior as projection and emphasizes the severity of the husband's alcohol abuse:
“He is definitely an alcoholic.”
[33:08]
Justin discusses the challenges of addressing such behavior, recommending ultimatums and seeking professional help:
“Therapy and he stops drinking or you leave.”
[37:50]
Morgan highlights the importance of recognizing alcoholism as a disease and the necessity of making tough decisions if the partner is unwilling to change.
“If he's unwilling to make changes, then might be time to move on.”
[38:16]
The consensus among the hosts is that the husband's actions are unacceptable and detrimental to the relationship's health.
4. AITA: Husband Secretly Records and Shares Intimate Moments
[46:28 - 75:47]
A 27-year-old woman discovers that her 28-year-old husband secretly recorded their intimate moments and sent them to her ex, leading to fear and uncertainty about how to confront him.
Morgan and Lauren are appalled by the breach of trust and discuss the legality and emotional repercussions of such actions.
Lauren advises immediate legal action and emphasizes that this behavior is inexcusable:
“He needs to be in trouble for that. It's not okay.”
[48:52]
Justin reinforces the gravity of the situation, suggesting that such actions are grounds for divorce and highlighting the invasive nature of the husband's behavior.
“It's abuse and also illegal. I could never trust my husband again if he did that to me.”
[49:31]
The hosts unanimously agree that the woman deserves better and should consider ending the relationship to protect her well-being.
5. AITA: Husband Adds Urine to Wife’s Food
[75:47 - 120:48]
A 32-year-old woman discovers her husband has been adding urine to her food, a revelation that shocks her and forces her to reconsider their relationship.
Morgan and Lauren find the behavior deeply disturbing and classify it as abusive and unacceptable, regardless of any intent.
Lauren firmly supports the woman's desire to divorce, condemning the husband's actions:
“Absolutely not. This is so messed up.”
[66:15]
Morgan highlights the violation of personal boundaries and the unsustainable nature of such a relationship:
“You deserve better.”
[74:09]
Updates reveal that the wife confronted her husband, who admitted to the behavior and claimed he wanted to feel closer to her, but agreed to seek therapy and dispose of the adulterated items. Despite this, the hosts caution against giving second chances in such scenarios.
6. AITA: Boyfriend Reacts Angrily to a Fart
[120:48 - 124:03]
A 28-year-old woman shares how her boyfriend abruptly left the bed in anger after she farted while cuddling, leaving her feeling shattered and confused about his disproportionate reaction.
Lauren and Justin express disbelief and frustration at the boyfriend’s overreaction, unanimously advising the woman to reconsider the relationship.
Lauren questions the boyfriend's control and willingness to handle natural bodily functions:
“Why are you still. Why are you still threatened by the fart?”
[71:07]
Morgan underscores the importance of acceptance and normalcy in relationships, emphasizing that such reactions are red flags:
“You deserve to be with someone who accepts all of you.”
[82:58]
The discussion concludes that the boyfriend’s behavior is unreasonable and not indicative of a healthy relationship dynamic.
Conclusion
Episode 204 of Two Hot Takes offers a candid exploration of Valentine's Day's impact on relationships, intertwined with compelling listener stories that highlight various red flags and relationship challenges. Morgan, Lauren, and Justin provide insightful commentary, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect, understanding love languages, and recognizing abusive behaviors. The episode serves as a valuable guide for listeners navigating the complexities of love and relationships, urging them to set healthy boundaries and seek relationships that foster genuine connection and support.
Notable Quotes:
-
Justin: “Shouldn't every day kind of be a little piece of Valentine's Day that you build up the entire year instead of just having, like, this one spotlighted day.”
[01:32] -
Morgan: “I think he's pathetic.”
[06:05] -
Lauren: “It's so sweet.”
[06:21] -
Justin: “Therapy and he stops drinking or you leave.”
[37:50] -
Lauren: “Absolutely not. This is so messed up.”
[66:15] -
Morgan: “You deserve better.”
[74:09]
These quotes encapsulate the hosts' perspectives on recognizing unhealthy behaviors and the necessity of prioritizing one's well-being in relationships.