Two Hot Takes Episode 252:
"Not Nice! Ft. Charlie Berens"
Release Date: January 22, 2026
Host: Morgan Absher
Guest: Charlie Berens
Episode Overview
In this episode, host Morgan Absher is joined by comedian and podcast host Charlie Berens for a deep dive into relationship dynamics, social etiquette, and Reddit’s juiciest stories. The theme is centered on "niceness," especially as it plays out in midwestern culture, and the boundaries between being genuinely nice and being a doormat—or, conversely, when blunt honestly crosses the line. Through laughter, Midwest banter, and hot takes, Morgan and Charlie break down listeners' and Redditors’ dilemmas about relationships, communication, boundaries, and authenticity.
Main Topics & Key Discussions
[02:38] Midwest Banter and Cultural Intros
- Setting the Vibe: Friendly, funny Midwest small talk. Morgan and Charlie riff on Minnesota vs. Wisconsin, accent quirks, and “Minnesota Nice” vs. “Midwest Nice.”
- Quote:
- Charlie, on "Minnesota Nice":
“You guys just kind of decided to slap your name on it, you know.” (06:36)
- Charlie, on "Minnesota Nice":
[08:35] Accents, Uber Ratings, & The Midwest 'Nice' Test
- Accent Pronunciations: Morgan challenges Charlie to pronounce Midwest words listeners say she mispronounces.
- Uber Ratings: Both compare their ratings and speculate on what makes a good passenger.
- Quote:
- Morgan, jokingly bragging:
“I feel like I probably have it mastered, given the 4.96.” (11:46)
- Morgan, jokingly bragging:
Reddit Stories & Listener Write-ins
[13:00] Story 1: Am I the Jerk for asking my partner to stop correcting my storytelling in front of friends?
Summary
- OP’s partner, Eli, constantly fact-checks her mid-story, ruining the moment. She calls him out in front of friends, and Eli later accuses her of embarrassing him and “attacking his communication style.”
Insights
- Charlie: Side with OP—correcting harmless storytelling details is unnecessary and can stall social vibes. Exaggeration is natural, especially for comedic effect.
“Nobody cares if it’s 1.3 miles or 2 miles or whatever…that’s what makes a story good!” (15:24) - Morgan: Highlights that public correction feels hostile, but so does public blowback; recommends private conversations.
- Therapy or Bartender: Charlie jokingly suggests Eli talk through it with a therapist or bartender (21:10).
Notable Moments
- Charlie describes his parents’ dynamic, in which his mom fact-checks dad’s stories but they’re unbothered: “My dad just completely ignores it and just keeps going with the story. So they’ve figured it out.” (20:52)
[25:30] Story 2: Am I the Asshole for not wanting my husband to come with me to Italy to look at art because of his immaturity?
Summary
- OP dreams of an artsy Italy trip, but her husband trivializes Renaissance paintings, calling them "fat chicks," and makes immature jokes. She considers going solo; he claims she'd be insulting his intelligence and feels slighted.
- More details reveal he often leaves her alone to care for their three kids, regularly takes expensive trips to football games, and never reciprocates in watching their children.
Insights
- Charlie: Initially jokes this is a Hallmark movie set-up for finding an Italian lover. As details come out, concludes husband is immature, controlling, possibly projecting his own guilt (“He’s worried she’ll have an affair because he might be cheating on football trips” - 38:27).
- Morgan: Expresses sympathy; shocked at husband's dismissiveness (“He is kind of uncultured. Or at least just lacks tact.” - 28:46).
- Both discuss that this isn’t merely a travel preference mismatch, but a red flag-laden relationship.
- Quote:
- Morgan: “If I was with someone…and they were shitting on [my passion]—how’d you get this far?” (28:28)
[43:21] Story 3: My girlfriend of 10 years said she needed more time when I proposed to her. Am I the asshole for checking out of my relationship ever since? + Updates!
Summary
- Together since age 15, OP proposes at 25; girlfriend balks. He emotionally withdraws, withholds affection, and plans to break up when their lease ends. Later updates: they get engaged, but after a drunken family dinner, OP kisses his fiancée’s sister, feels “sparks” he’s never felt, and ultimately breaks off his engagement.
- Twist: Sister confesses lifelong feelings; OP contemplates letting go of his past relationship for new love.
Insights
- Charlie: Advises against dragging things out for lease reasons; comments on how relationship dynamics can switch (cat-and-mouse). “Neither is an asshole...you're both 25, you know?” (45:48)
- Both hosts dissect the pattern of dating through formative years and "ring clarity": how the act of engagement crystallizes doubts.
- On the twist:
- Both are exasperated at the sibling affair (“Keep it out of the family!” - 57:36), and express concern about thoroughly moving on (“Be single! Go find yourself. Eat, Pray, Love!” - 66:55).
- Notable Moment:
- Morgan: “How are we doing? God, how are we doing?” (57:42)
[69:13] Story 4: Roleplaying Gone Wild: My husband doesn’t take our role playing seriously in bed—he goes too far!
Summary
- OP wants sultry, porn-esque roleplay; husband turns it into elaborate comedy sketches (e.g., shouting into a pretend police radio during sex), which is fun but not what she’s craving.
Insights
- Charlie: Sees potential: “Great comedic actors have the potential to be great regular actors...but you need training!” Suggests OP uses movie references to steer her husband’s performance.
- Both encourage talking openly—maybe alternate silly and serious sessions.
- Notable Quote:
- Charlie: “He’s doing improv comedy where he’s trying to get the laugh—and she just wants him to...fully live in the character.” (75:07)
- Top Comment:
“This is probably one of the best problems you could have.” (76:29)
[82:47] Story 5: Am I the asshole for telling a friend’s boyfriend he can’t have a traditional wife because he’s not a traditional man?
Summary
- A friend’s boyfriend rants about wanting a “traditional wife” while splitting bills 50/50 and not providing. OP claps back, calling him out for not being a traditional man, and that he sounds like he wants another mommy, not a wife. The friend’s boyfriend is embarrassed and demands an apology; the friend wants to stay neutral.
Insights
- Charlie: Sides with OP, suggests mirroring works (“Let’s take what you want, let’s go there...you want a trad wife, do you make $300-400,000 a year?” - 85:20). Suggests men like this need thicker skin: “If you want your thing and you're proud of your thing, take what comes with it...accept the consequences” (92:16).
- Morgan: Points out how cost of living renders one-income “trad wife” setups impractical; many commenters agree.
- Notable Moment:
- Charlie, on calloused hands: “He’s got soft hands and not from moisturizing.” (85:00)
- Update: OP refuses to apologize; her friend is upset, and the friendship may be over.
Notable Quotes
-
“That's just it. Nobody wants to hear what you have to say unless you're helping.”
—Charlie Berens (93:49) -
“The person who's worried about it the most is the person that's doing it.”
—Charlie Berens (38:55) -
“I know a thing or two about being nice. Clearly, you were. You're pretty nice to your Uber drivers and people. So we're gonna be judging all these Reddit stories today and seeing are they nice or not.”
—Morgan Absher (12:14)
Noteworthy Memorable Moments
- Charlie likens awkward couple corrections to sketch comedy gold (16:03)
- Morgan and Charlie’s Midwest pronunciation battle (08:35)
- Deep dive into “trad wife” culture, including Midwest-specific observations and humor about soft hands (85:00–86:02)
- The family drama of the engagement saga—a trilogy twist, with audience-style suspense and giddiness from both hosts at each plot turn (54:26–63:03)
Timestamps Guide
| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Cozy Midwest intro, guest arrival | 01:39–02:38 | | Accent challenge, Uber ratings, “Midwest Nice” explained | 08:35–12:19 | | Story 1: Marked-for-correction partner | 13:00–24:01 | | Story 2: Italy, Art, & Immature Husband | 25:30–42:01 | | Story 3: 10-Year High School Sweethearts, Engagement Drama| 43:21–68:17 | | Story 4: Roleplaying GONE WILD | 69:13–82:03 | | Story 5: "Traditional Wife" Callout | 82:47–92:16 |
Episode Tone and Language
- The entire episode maintains a lively, comedic, Midwest-flavored tone: quick-witted, gently self-deprecating, and loaded with friendly roasts.
- Both hosts are candid, sometimes crass, but always compassionate toward advice-seekers.
- Lots of pop culture, regional references (cheese curds, Dinkytown, “watch for deer!”), and mutual ribbing.
Final Reflection & Takeaways
- Be honest, but be kind: Social “niceness” has limits when boundaries or authenticity are at stake.
- Stand up for your interests—but if your partner belittles your passion, it’s valid to question the relationship.
- Mirroring technique: When confronting difficult behavior, sometimes giving a taste of their own medicine is instructive.
- Trad wife/trad husband discourses: Outdated, often rooted in internet talking points rather than real life.
- Don’t drag out inevitable breakups: Lease or no lease, your happiness matters.
- Communication in intimacy: Silly and sexy can coexist—so can bluntness and sensitivity.
Where to Find the Hosts
- Morgan Absher:
Instagram @morgsyabsher | Two Hot Takes YouTube | Patreon - Charlie Berens:
YouTube: Charlie Berens—Special: “Neighborly”
Podcast: Bellied Up
Website: charlieberens.com
End Note:
This episode delivers plenty of laughs, sharp relationship insight, and engaging storytelling, all wrapped in a thick Midwest accent and a healthy dose of realness.