Episode Summary: Two Hot Takes – Episode 216: Justifiable Crash Out?! PART 2!

Release Date: May 15, 2025

In Episode 216 of Two Hot Takes, host Morgan Absher and co-host Lauren delve into the turbulent waters of relationship dilemmas sourced primarily from Reddit’s AITA (Am I the Asshole) subreddit. This episode, titled "Justifiable Crash Out?! PART 2!", explores various scenarios where individuals grapple with their emotional responses—termed "crashing out"—in the context of dating and relationships. The hosts provide insightful analysis, humor, and candid opinions, making the discussions both engaging and relatable for listeners.

1. Bringing a Much Older Guy to Easter Dinner

Reddit Post: “Am I the asshole for bringing a much older guy to Easter dinner after my dad left my mom for someone close to my age.”
Username: I, 18, female

Summary: An 18-year-old woman recounts bringing a 38-year-old friend to her family's Easter dinner as a form of petty revenge after her father, aged 45, left her mother for a 26-year-old woman. Her intent was to highlight the double standard surrounding age gaps in relationships.

Discussion & Analysis: Morgan and Lauren dissect the age dynamics, noting the hypocrisy in the father's acceptance of his own age-gap relationship while condemning her friend's similar situation.

Notable Quotes:

• Morgan:
  [07:57] “It would appear that way. It certainly would appear that way.”

• Lauren:
  [08:38] “I think this is honestly a petty revenge that I like.”

• Morgan:
  [10:20] “Top comment on this one. Not the asshole.”

Conclusion: The hosts agree that the daughter is not in the wrong, emphasizing the inconsistency in parental judgments regarding age differences in relationships.

2. Refusing to Apologize for Slapping Boyfriend Over Cake Incident

Reddit Post: “Am I the asshole for refusing to apologize for slapping my boyfriend when he smashed our birthday cake in my face?”
Username: I, female, 34

Summary: A 34-year-old woman describes a volatile birthday celebration where her 38-year-old boyfriend, Charles, forcefully smashed cake onto her face during a photo session, humiliating her in front of friends and family. She slapped him in self-defense and refused to apologize, leading to the end of their relationship.

Discussion & Analysis: Morgan and Lauren condemn Charles's behavior, labeling it as abusive and an overstepped joke. They highlight the inappropriateness of using cake-smashing as a means of asserting dominance and ridicule.

Notable Quotes:

• Lauren:
  [17:00] “He came off as violent. He forced it.”

• Morgan:
  [25:38] “It's just not a good joke.”

• Lauren:
  [26:49] “Good.”

Conclusion: Both hosts affirm that the woman acted appropriately by standing up for herself, recognizing the abusive nature of the incident, and supporting her decision to end the relationship.

3. Getting a Co-Worker Fired for Visible Inappropriate Behavior

Reddit Post: “Am I the asshole for getting my co worker fired for his repeated visible dick print?”
Username: I, 19, female

Summary: A 19-year-old female intern shares her discomfort with a male coworker, Josh, who repeatedly allows his erection to be visible through his thin clothing during one-on-one interactions. Despite feeling harassed, she initially refrains from reporting him to avoid appearing dramatic. Eventually, her discomfort leads her to go to HR, resulting in Josh's termination. However, she faces retaliation from coworkers, feeling alienated at her workplace.

Discussion & Analysis: The hosts discuss workplace harassment, emphasizing the importance of reporting such inappropriate behavior. They criticize the company's poor culture and the coworkers' retaliatory actions, underscoring the harmful effects of enabling toxic environments.

Notable Quotes:

• Morgan:
  [33:16] “HR put Josh under review, and he ended up being fired with cause.”

• Lauren:
  [34:08] “No, it's definitely grounds for being fired as well.”

• Morgan:
  [38:22] “If you have a lot of resentment, it might bring some satisfaction. Is it the healthiest? Probably not.”

Conclusion: Morgan and Lauren support the intern’s actions, labeling her not the asshole. They highlight the necessity of standing up against harassment and the detrimental impact of workplace retaliation.

4. Breaking Up After Boyfriend Skinny Dips with Sister

Reddit Post: “Am I the asshole for breaking up with my boyfriend after he skinny dipped in our pool with my sister at home.”
Username: I, female

Summary: A woman narrates her decision to break up with her 31-year-old boyfriend after he was seen skinny dipping in their backyard pool by her 19-year-old sister. The boyfriend’s inappropriate behavior, lacking any apology or remorse, leads her to end the relationship and distance herself from him.

Discussion & Analysis: The discussion centers around the boyfriend’s disrespectful and creepy behavior, especially given the presence of her sister. The hosts condemn his actions, labeling him a "pervert," and support her decision to sever ties, emphasizing her right to feel safe and respected.

Notable Quotes:

• Morgan:
  [43:58] “This is just like justifiable.”

• Lauren:
  [44:36] “It's so creepy. It's so not okay.”

• Morgan:
  [50:07] “Not okay. Not the asshole.”

Conclusion: Morgan and Lauren unanimously agree that the woman is not at fault. They applaud her for taking swift action to protect her well-being and support her decision to end a toxic relationship.

5. Disrupting Best Friend’s Wedding Proposal

Reddit Post: “Am I the asshole for telling my best friend her marriage is doomed at her bachelorette party and accidentally getting her wedding canceled?”
Username: I, 27, female

Summary: A 27-year-old woman recounts how she publicly confronted her best friend, Amy, about her controlling and abusive fiancé, Jake, during Amy’s bachelorette party. Her outburst—calling Jake a "jealous man child"—led to Amy abandoning her plans to marry Jake, resulting in her wedding being canceled. While some friends support her intervention, others accuse her of being toxic and jealous.

Discussion & Analysis: Morgan and Lauren discuss the delicate nature of intervening in a friend’s toxic relationship. They acknowledge the difficulty in choosing the right moment and setting for such confrontations but commend her for prioritizing Amy’s well-being over social niceties.

Notable Quotes:

• Lauren:
  [54:04] “Absolutely not.”

• Morgan:
  [57:49] “She was going to be in for a lifetime of misery. But that doesn't mean she's going to like you for it.”

• Lauren:
  [58:29] “Consciousness. Conscious. Cautious. There's a lot of variations going on in that I know. Sound.”

Conclusion: Both hosts affirm that the woman acted out of concern and friendship, emphasizing that her intentions were to protect her friend from an abusive relationship. They recognize the emotional toll such interventions can take but stand by her decision as justified.

6. Not Respecting Fancy Soap Policy Leads to "Soap Arms Race"

Reddit Post: “Am I the asshole for not respecting fancy soap policy in our bathroom and accidentally starting a soap based arms race?”
Username: I, male

Summary: A man describes a humorous yet escalating conflict with his wife over the use of expensive, artisanal soap designated for guests. After inadvertently using the fancy soap for everyday purposes, he retaliates by purchasing his own extravagant soap, leading to a playful yet competitive "soap arms race" in their household.

Discussion & Analysis: Morgan and Lauren find the situation amusing, highlighting the trivial disputes that can arise over household items. They discuss the importance of communication and compromise in maintaining harmony within relationships, even over seemingly insignificant matters.

Notable Quotes:

• Morgan:
  [108:00] “They're crashing out over soap.”

• Lauren:
  [110:43] “It's all fun and games until you murder a colleague over business card envy.”

Conclusion: The hosts laugh off the situation, viewing it as a lighthearted example of how minor disagreements can spiral if not addressed with understanding and cooperation.

Additional Highlights:

• TikTok Trends and Safety:
  Lauren brings up concerning TikTok trends where children engage in dangerous activities like running through fences, drawing parallels to the problematic behaviors discussed in the AITA stories. Both hosts emphasize the importance of considering the impact of such trends on personal safety and community well-being.

• Workplace Culture and Harassment:
  The discussion around the coworker’s inappropriate behavior extends into a broader critique of toxic workplace environments, urging listeners to advocate for respectful and safe professional settings.

• Relationship Dynamics and Financial Decisions:
  Towards the end, Morgan and Lauren touch upon another AITA post about a couple facing financial decisions after winning the lottery. They explore themes of trust, financial management, and the strain that sudden wealth can place on relationships.

Notable Quotes:

• Morgan:
  [77:08] “The English language is so hard. Like read. Read.”

• Lauren:
  [90:23] “It's definitely a grieving process.”

Conclusion: Throughout the episode, Morgan and Lauren blend humor with serious discussions, providing listeners with both entertainment and thoughtful insights into complex relationship issues. Their dynamic chemistry and candid conversations make for a compelling episode that resonates with anyone navigating the often tumultuous seas of love and personal growth.

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• YouTube Channel: Two Hot Takes on YouTube

Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided podcast transcript and may vary slightly during actual listening.