Two Hot Takes – Episode 263: Friendly Advice Ft. Nadine Bhabha

Release Date: April 9, 2026
Host: Morgan Absher
Guest: Nadine Bhabha

Overview

In this engaging and witty episode, host Morgan Absher sits down with actor/writer Nadine Bhabha to dispense no-nonsense, friendly advice on a slew of complex, funny, and emotional Reddit and listener stories centering on relationships, friendships, self-worth, life transitions, and the elusive quest for “whimsy.” Together, they challenge entitlement, poke fun at masculinity woes, and celebrate the joys of connection and individuality, all while serving up their signature hot takes—with Nadine’s “three cents” worth of wisdom in heavy rotation.

Key Segments & Topic Breakdown

[00:59-06:53] Catching Up & Reflections on Friendship

• Reconnecting and First Impressions: Morgan recounts meeting Nadine at a Spotify party where Nadine’s “let kids swear” hot take had stood out.
• Nadine’s TV Success: Discussing the acclaim for “Heated Rivalry,” Nadine highlights the show’s emotional craftsmanship and sense of “community.”
• Modern Friendship & Community:
  • Nadine and Morgan lament the decline of “the village” and the isolation of adulthood, especially in places like LA.
  • Nadine: “If you’re within walking distance of your friends, you live a better life.” [04:28]
  • Morgan: “That is better than literally any pill you could ever take.” [04:54]
• Toronto vs. Other Canadian Cities: Personal anecdotes about Canada and Toronto’s unique vibe.

[06:53-22:46] Reddit Story 1: “I Hate My Friend’s Husband for Not Choosing Me”

(Reddit: Off My Chest)

Story Summary ([07:28])

A woman (late 20s) resents her friend’s husband (her former FWB) for marrying her introverted friend instead. She’s bitter and questions her own worth, harboring resentment for not being the “chosen one.”

Advice & Commentary

• Nadine’s Immediate Take ([09:35]):
  • “Girl, get over it. That man’s for the streets, then, like, leave him alone.”
  • Critiques the writer’s entitlement and inward focus: “You’re not entitled to a person’s life.”
• Labels & Loss of Nuance ([12:21-14:23]):
  • Pushback on toxic labeling (“introvert,” “extrovert”), with Nadine calling out using personality descriptors as put-downs.
  • Nadine: “We need to box ourselves into these things in order to feel...a lack of community talking.”
  • Morgan: “People are losing nuance...There’s way more gray area than there is black and white.” [14:07]
• Aging out of the Drama ([16:22-18:43]):
  • Both agree the fixation is immature: “This kind of attitude should stay behind in your teenage years.”
  • “If you don’t want to be an option, don’t be an option.” [17:08]
  • Nostalgic self-critique: “I just want to shake me...don’t be sad about this Canadian boy...” [17:29]

Notable Quotes

• Nadine: “Dating men is a nightmare and a prison, and it sucks.” [11:27]
• Morgan: “What do you win? Even in your own words, he’s still the same misogynistic asshole.” [12:01]

Consensus & Reddit Comments

• Both hosts and top Reddit commenters assert: There’s no friendship here, no healthy foundation, and nothing to gain but heartache.

[22:46-41:12] Reddit Story 2: “Am I the Asshole for Accepting a Promotion My Boyfriend Doesn’t Want Me to Take?”

(r/AmItheAsshole)

Story Summary ([22:59])

A woman is offered a long-awaited job promotion. Her boyfriend acts undermined and threatened by her career success, worrying it will disrupt his “simple life.” She feels unsupported and wonders if she’s the asshole for accepting.

Advice & Commentary

• Nadine:
  • Passionately sides with OP: “Men...it takes a special kind of man to not be emasculated by a successful woman.”
  • Notes the “disconnect” in even progressive men when it’s their own partner achieving: “It’s, ‘I believe you deserve all these things—but not you and me in this relationship.’” [27:52]
  • “Sometimes with the boys, I’m just like, just sit back and be a kept man for a moment. It’s gonna be okay.” [30:55]
• Morgan:
  • Relates to the tension of balancing career and partnership: “You can stress about the future, but you can only address it as it comes.” [31:03]
  • “This could be huge.” [30:16]
• Capitalism vs. Fulfillment ([28:13]):
  • Acknowledges the “rat race” isn’t the end goal, but ambition shouldn’t be punished either.
• Relationship Dynamics:
  • If a promotion causes this much friction, how would the couple survive greater challenges (illness, kids)? “He’s straight up telling you he’s inflexible. Run.” [37:20]

Notable Quotes

• “He doesn’t want a simple life. He wants a stagnant one.” [37:23] — Reddit Comment, read aloud
• “If you start sleeping at the office on Friday and come home Monday, different conversation.” [28:57] — Nadine

[41:12-57:02] Reddit Story 3: “He Wants to Call Off My Divorce Because My Cancer Treatment Was Successful”

(r/TrueOffMyChest)

Story Summary

A man is dumped by his husband after a cancer diagnosis (“too much to take care of”), but once he’s in remission, the ex tries to withdraw the divorce petition. After a protracted legal fight and emotional rollercoaster, the OP finds closure—with freedom and health.

Advice & Commentary

• Nadine:
  • Highlights the tragedy of “fair weather” relationships.
  • “People take vows that mean nothing.” [43:44]
  • A marriage where someone jumps ship after a diagnosis isn’t worth saving.
  • “It’s an expensive breakup, is what divorce is.” [46:52]
• Morgan:
  • Emotional reaction: “I married knowing if anything ever happened, I’m with someone who would not abandon me. He would wipe my ass.”
  • Argues that divorce shouldn’t be shamed if a relationship stops working: “Don’t make it forever if it’s not working anymore.” [46:39]
• Marriage & Modern Love Debated:
  • Dissects why people get and stay married, and the institution’s shifting cultural meaning. Cites financial, logistical, and emotional factors.
• Update ([53:04]):
  • OP finally free after 4.5 years; “Last night was probably the best sleep I’ve had in years.”
  • “Happy you got rid of both cancers.” [55:33] — Redditor (Morgan reads it out; it’s met with laughter and approval)

[57:02-70:46] Reddit Story 4: “My Husband Told Me He Doesn’t Like the Fun Lunches I’ve Been Packing”

(r/TrueOffMyChest)

Story Summary

For three years, a woman preps whimsical, Pinterest-worthy lunches for her husband—homemade treats with notes and designs—only to learn he finds them embarrassing. She’s hurt, reflects on her attachment to “fun” gestures, and feels out of sync.

Advice & Commentary

• Nadine:
  • Sympathetic yet frank: “Sometimes our gestures are more for us than the other person.”
  • Recognizes that her own tastes are not whimsical, but believes “we’ve lost so much whimsy” and men need it most.
  • Advises balance: “A heart-shaped cookie doesn’t make me any less of a man. I’m cold.” [64:12]
  • Argues that no one else cares—this is his issue.
• Morgan:
  • Points out that bringing joy to the office is usually a win; notes her own delight at “designer cookies.”
  • “There’s stuff my partner does that I’m not obsessed with...but I’m not going to ruin his whimsy.”
• Bring Back Whimsy!
  • Nadine shares her love of random, spontaneous adventures (cat shows, marionettes, kissing lucky pennies).
  • “That’s what being alive is about...Find your pennies in the world.” [68:48]
• Reddit Comments:
  • Lawyers in the thread love the fun lunches and poke fun at the husband’s “stuffy” firm.

[70:46-86:37] Reddit Story 5: “My Long Term Boyfriend Saved Nudes From My Best Friend”

(r/relationship_advice)

Story Summary

After 8 years together, a woman discovers her boyfriend saved explicit snaps from her best friend, and feels betrayed by both. He claims it was a mistake, but the trust is shattered and she worries she’ll never “click” with someone again.

Advice & Commentary

• Nadine:
  • Sets a hard line: “Not your friend. Not your boyfriend.”
  • “The thing about clicking — you will [again]. There are so many people out there to click with.” [77:49]
  • On high school sweethearts: “They are the exception. Everybody else, I’m like, you’re weird.” [81:13]
• Morgan:
  • Acknowledges the pain but urges: “Don’t waste another day if you’re just settling out of familiarity.”
  • “If you have an inkling...don’t waste another day.” [79:14]
• Both:
  • Talk at length about the “girls’ girl” dilemma, the need for strong boundaries, and breaking out of “convenience relationships.”
  • Nadine: “Life is both long and short...don’t stay with people you’re not comfortable around.” [78:53]
• Playful Thought Experiment:
  • Nadine suggests a worldwide Singles Month (like The Purge for dating) to shake things up.
  • “It would shake up a lot of people’s ideas of what partnership looks like.” [83:29]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Labels and Identity:
  • Nadine: “I hate labels. People are like, ‘I read a book, I’m an introvert.’ It’s like, shut up. Just be.” [12:21]
• On Whimsy:
  • Nadine: “Men need to be more comfortable with whimsy.” [62:37]
  • “Bring back whimsy!” [62:35]
• On Outgrowing Partners:
  • Morgan reads a Reddit comment: “Don’t let familiarity excuse mistreatment.” [84:29]
• On Marriage:
  • “People take vows that mean nothing.” [43:44]
  • “It’s an expensive breakup, is what divorce is.” [46:52]
• On Finding Community:
  • Nadine: “If you felt safe and taken care of within your friend group, you would just exist.” [13:26]

Time-stamped Highlights

• [03:10]—Nadine describes TV show episodes as a race car, romcom, tragedy, culminating in perfect closure.
• [04:28]—The life-changing impact of living within walking distance of friends.
• [09:35]—Breakdown of the “I hate my friend’s husband” story.
• [14:07]—Insightful commentary on the loss of nuance in modern interactions.
• [27:32]—Discussion of male fragility and professional jealousy.
• [37:23]—Savage Reddit comment: “He doesn’t want a simple life. He wants a stagnant one.”
• [43:44]—Rants on the real meaning of marriage vows.
• [53:04]—Poignant update on the cancer survivor’s hard-won freedom.
• [62:35]—Rallying for more whimsy in everyday life.
• [68:48]—Nadine’s “Find your pennies in the world” mantra.
• [84:29]—Top comment urging listeners not to let comfort mask mistreatment.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a tour de force of real talk about jealousy, ambition, self-worth, staying true to yourself, and the joys and pitfalls of modern love and friendship. Nadine’s quick wit and empathetic honesty, paired with Morgan’s warmth and candor, make this a must-listen for anyone navigating the grey areas of relationships—or just searching for a little more whimsy (and a lot less drama) in their daily life.

Find more “Two Hot Takes” on Instagram, YouTube, and Patreon. For bonus stories, weekly whimsy, and all of Morgan and Nadine’s three-cents takes, check the links in the episode description.