Two Hot Takes – Ep. 246: Thankful It's Not Me?

Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Morgan Absher
Co-hosts: Lauren, Michaela

Episode Overview

In this episode, Morgan and her co-hosts dive into a chaotic, no-rules collection of Reddit stories and listener submissions centered on the theme "Thankful It's Not Me." With the holidays approaching, the team encounters wild family drama, relationship dilemmas, problematic gift giving, and more, all while sharing their authentic hot takes and banter. This episode offers plenty of perspectives, emotional insights, and memorable quotes for anyone needing a dose of “it could be worse” comic relief.

Key Discussions and Notable Quotes

1. Sports Talk and “Thankful It's Not Me” Energy

• (02:00–05:30)
  Opening friendly football banter, wild conspiracy theories, and the acknowledgment that the holidays often bring out the most chaotic human behavior.
  • Lauren: "Tis the chaos, tis the season... thankful it's not me."

2. The Family Cookbook Conundrum

• [06:09–24:55]
  AITA for keeping a family cookbook slated for the trash, now hotly contested 10 years later?

Key Points:

• OP (Original Poster) took an heirloom cookbook from a family discard pile, now other relatives want it back.
• Arguments arise around emotional attachment vs. literal ownership vs. sentimental value.
• The difference between "he demanded it back" vs. "he asked for it"—bias and "unreliable narrator" discussed.

Memorable Quotes:

• Lauren (09:44): "You’re coming out guns blazing... could have been more of a conversation, like, 'Thank you for keeping it safe, can we make a photocopy?'"
• Michaela (13:10): “If you want it for the recipes, you make the copy and you keep it… It’s not the physical thing you’re attached to.”
• Lauren (16:43): "If a dead woman's son was like, 'I would really love my mother's cookbook back,' there's no way you can keep it from them and be on the right side."
• Lauren (20:10): [On the family tree confusion] "Can someone please draw me a feeling?"

Consensus:
No assholes—OP should return the original and keep a copy. Everyone’s stress and confusion is relatable amid family loss and logistics.

Timestamps:

• Discussion of moral ownership and family dynamics: [08:00–24:56]

3. Radical Honesty or Circle of Bullies?

• [25:03–38:12]
  “My boyfriend calls it radical honesty, but it feels like public humiliation.”

Key Points:

• OP’s boyfriend and his friends hold “feedback” sessions, roasting and criticizing partners. OP is blindsided.
• Discussion on the difference between honest caring feedback vs. bullying and enabling toxic behavior.
• The group and boyfriend treat OP’s sensitivities as flaws to “fix.”

Memorable Quotes:

• Michaela (27:02): "There is just this obnoxious type of person who thinks honesty is an excuse to be horrible."
• Lauren (29:52): "Maybe you guys are all fucking boring. So she talks about work, because no one else can carry a conversation."
• Michaela (33:00): "Do you even like me? … There are things about me you don’t like. Maybe you shouldn’t be with me."
• Lauren (34:06): “He is a shit partner and he is single. Yay. Break up.”

Consensus:
Toxic friend group. The boyfriend is unsupportive; OP should leave.

Notable:

• Audience encouragement: “Please leave him. Please.”

Timestamps:

• Story introduction: [25:03]
• Consensus and advice: [37:40–38:12]

4. Under Anesthesia: Truth or Fluke?

• [39:12–50:02]
  “Am I overreacting by being hurt when my husband looked at me with disgust coming out of anesthesia?”

Key Points:

• OP’s husband recoils from her post-surgery—she’s gutted, wonders if it was subconscious truth.
• Heavy discussion on viral “lovey-dovey anesthesia reaction” videos and unhealthy public comparisons.
• Multiple commenters and the hosts stress: anesthesia = wild, unpredictable behavior; not a truth serum.

Memorable Quotes:

• Michaela (42:09): “Imagine your partner gets amnesia, wakes up, doesn’t recognize you, and is like, ‘I’m married to you?’”
• Lauren (47:02): "Don’t pay attention to TikTok trends. Anesthesia is nuts and cannot be used as a truth serum.”

Consensus:
OP’s feelings are valid, but conversation and context are critical. Don’t jump to conclusions or measure love by viral standards.

Timestamps:

• Discussion of anesthesia effects: [44:52–48:45]
• Advice to talk it out: [49:10–50:02]

5. Dysfunctional Gift-Giving and the “Great Deal” Mindset

• [50:49–73:44]
  “My husband keeps buying cheap gifts and doesn’t get why it hurts my feelings”

Key Points:

• OP keeps receiving bargain-without-thought gifts; practical items but low quality, not personal.
• Gift-giving becomes more about the “deal” than the recipient’s taste.
• Emotional labor of communicating what’s meaningful and fight against scarcity mindset.
• Multiple listener anecdotes and the importance of being seen by your partner.

Memorable Quotes:

• Michaela (54:48): “It’s very wasteful, actually, to buy cheap stuff that you’re never gonna use and isn’t good quality.”
• Lauren (55:33): “Why don’t you see me? Why aren’t you listening to me?”
• Lauren (57:36): "It's almost a scarcity mindset... Cheap, but more, so you won't run out."
• Lauren (58:56): “If he cannot stick to it this year... just go buy yourself your gift after the fact.”
• OP’s Update (71:57): "He admitted he just wasn't really thinking. Saw the deal and bought it... we returned it. We discussed making wish lists…"

Consensus:
Communication is key—even if it takes a strong stance. Partners should listen, compromise, and balance budget concerns with showing appreciation and thought.

Timestamps:

• Listener update and resolution: [71:53–73:27]

6. Holiday Family Pressure: “Why Don’t You Have a Husband and Kids?”

• [77:49–97:21]
  OP’s mom delivers harsh “tough love” before Thanksgiving, shames daughter for not being settled down.

Key Points:

• OP is berated for being single at 35 despite her career/financial/housing accomplishments.
• Family’s focus on relationship milestones for women; emotional harm from “tough love” and cultural expectations.
• Texts show clear emotional manipulation.

Memorable Quotes:

• Lauren (80:45): “That’s your measure of success, not mine.”
• Michaela (82:35): "Even if she really did want to be partnered…these comments still wouldn’t help make that happen faster."
• Lauren (85:12): "'Doesn’t that make you feel embarrassed to be the only one without a family?' Are you not my mom? Are those not my brothers and sisters?"
• Michaela (89:17): “Now she has to…cut out her mom? Like how many people does she have to cut out who are dragging her down?”

Consensus:
Deeply cruel parental behavior. OP is right to step away and set boundaries. Hosts encourage sharing the mom’s message more widely to correct the record.

Timestamps:

• Reading of harsh “tough love” texts: [84:36–85:24]
• Advice and boundary discussion: [89:17–91:27]

7. Jealous Stepmom Demands: Take Down the Photos

• [100:34–109:58]
  AITA for refusing to remove family photos (that include ex-daughter-in-law) for my son's new wife?

Key Points:

• Sherry, the new wife, is threatened by pictures of Gavin’s ex and reacts by treating his child (Tommy) coldly.
• OP stands firm: “my home, my rules, my family’s history.”
• Slippery slope: yielding here easily leads to more unreasonable demands.

Memorable Quotes:

• Lauren (101:52): "If you start changing your behavior and taking things out on a baby—he’s four—like, come on, grow up."
• Lauren (105:00): "If you didn't want to be a stepmom, you couldn't handle being a stepmom...don't sign up to be a stepmom."
• On husband's stance: “We do not negotiate with terrorists.” (Characterizing Sherry's ultimatums)

Consensus:
Sherry's jealousy is the issue—not the pictures. OP is right not to give in; maintain boundaries for the sake of family stability and Tommy’s well-being.

8. Secret Group Chat Between Boyfriend and Mom

• [111:10–121:10]
  AITA for freaking out after finding a secret group chat between my boyfriend and my mom (about me)?

Key Points:

• OP uncovers weeks of messages where boyfriend and mother mock and pathologize her, discussing her anxieties and flaws behind her back with a mocking tone.
• Both co-hosts describe it as emotionally violating, condescending, and a major breach of trust.
• Difference between legitimate concern/intervention vs. chronic gossip and ridicule.

Memorable Quotes:

• Michaela (113:29): "The laughing emoji response…confirms it's not concerned, caring talk. We're gossiping about this bitch."
• Lauren (116:23): “He almost looks down on her...I don't want to be a burden to you; I want a partner.”

Consensus:
Not overreacting—a shocking violation. Call out both mother and boyfriend; even considering their departure from OP's life.

Running Themes

• Holiday Chaos: Recurring acknowledgment that the holidays often bring out everyone’s worst, raising the stakes for conflict and drama.
• Communication / Emotional Labor: Multiple stories spotlight the toll of having to repeatedly explain boundaries or desires to people who should already care.
• Validation of Feelings: Frequent reassurance that even if situations seem “small,” pain, embarrassment, and betrayal are real and deserve to be named.
• Setting Boundaries: Clear support for standing up for oneself, shutting down unreasonable demands, and not tolerating toxic behavior—even from family.

Episode Timestamps for Major Segments

• [06:09–24:55] – Family Cookbook Dispute
• [25:03–38:12] – Radical Honesty or Public Humiliation?
• [39:12–50:02] – Husband’s Anesthesia Reaction
• [50:49–73:44] – Cheap Gift-Giving Husband
• [77:49–97:21] – Thanksgiving Single-Shaming
• [100:34–109:58] – Stepmom Jealousy/Photo Battle
• [111:10–121:10] – Secret Group Chat Discovery

Memorable Moments

• Lauren’s “draw me a feeling” about family trees (20:10)
• Wild analogy to “don’t negotiate with terrorists” regarding family ultimatums
• Numerous calls for OPs to “break up!” or “don’t go to Thanksgiving!”
• Raw, authentic sharing of how childhood financial trauma can impact adult relationships and gift-giving
• Broad, supportive message: your accomplishments aren’t defined by relationships or parenthood

Episode Tone & Style

• Conversational, unfiltered, and a blend of empathy, snark, and humor.
• Hosts provide sharp analysis but also frequently validate emotional realities and share personal anecdotes for relatability.
• Quotes and personal stories interspersed for connection, lots of “hot takes” and encouragement not to settle or people-please at one's own expense.

This episode is perfect for listeners craving honest, funny, and insightful takes on modern family and relationship problems—especially before a long, chaotic holiday with their own loved ones. And as Morgan and the crew remind us: sometimes, the truest gratitude is just thinking “thankful it’s not me.”