U Up? Podcast: 8 Years of U Up? Our Wildest and Most Iconic Moments!

Podcast: U Up? by Betches Media
Hosts: Jordana Abraham & Jared Freid
Date: November 14, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special anniversary episode, Jordana Abraham and Jared Freid celebrate eight years of the U Up? podcast by looking back on their most iconic, wild, and hilarious moments. The duo reflect on the evolution of the show, share their personal insecurities about being modern dating commentators, revisit their favorite listener stories, and candidly discuss memorable and controversial guests. The tone is candid, irreverent, and self-deprecating as they offer both nostalgia and new perspectives on dating, podcasting, and their relationship with their audience.

Reflections on 8 Years of Modern Dating Commentary

Feeling the Weight of Longevity (01:28–05:12)

• Both hosts express pride and surprise at the show's longevity.

• Jared reflects on how being single while hosting for eight years has affected his sense of credibility:

  "I feel like I open myself up... when you say you have a dating podcast for eight years and you’re single. It becomes the 'what do you know?' type of thing.” (02:07 – Jared)

• Jordana discusses her own insecurities, having started the podcast at 28, newly in a relationship, and now married:

  “My insecurities [are], like, oh, I’m sure people say, like, 'what does she know? She hasn’t dated in eight years.'" (02:44 – Jordana)

• They both agree that, while some aspects of the dating landscape change, the core issues remain consistent.

Making Dating Fun & Honest (04:11–06:22)

• Jordana underscores the show's approach:

  "I think we take a very heavy topic and we make it light and we make it fun." (05:12 – Jordana)

• They acknowledge their honesty sometimes clashes with listeners who find dating especially difficult.

Balancing Vulnerability & Performance (06:22–11:13)

• Jared reveals it's easier for him to be honest on air than with people he dates.
• Hosting the show acts as a mirror:

  "It makes me look in the mirror of my life... are you going to be able to do this show, and feel good about it?" (09:58 – Jared)

• The podcast pushes Jared to make faster decisions about his relationships, to avoid being inauthentic with listeners.

Origins & Evolution: How U Up? Came To Be

Nostalgic Beginnings (11:58–14:52)

• The podcast began as an extension of Jordana’s previous experiences with Betches and her collaborations with Jared.
• They touch on the symbolic importance of the "U up?" text and how it’s morphed in the age of Instagram Stories and Snapchat:

  "Now it's more like fire emojis, like responding to an Instagram story is the new 'U up?'" (13:35 – Jared)

On Giving Dating Advice, Tone, and Audience Reception

Representing Both Genders (16:11–17:40)

• Jared talks about being open with "men's secrets," but stresses the importance of honesty and presenting a male view compassionately:

  "I try to say these things in a palatable way. I think that’s the hard part, to talk from a male perspective in a way that isn’t hateful or mean." (16:29 – Jared)

• Jordana adds that Jared articulates things most men won't.

Revisiting Iconic Listener Stories & Most Loved Segments

Structure

• Throughout the episode, listeners’ favorite moments, chosen via Instagram poll, are played, discussed, contextualized, and occasionally cringed at.
• Both hosts reflect on the impact, feedback, and occasional controversy these moments inspired.

1. The "Worst Day of the Year" Birthday Gaffe

[42:27–47:05]

• Jordana inadvertently calls February 21st “the worst day of the year” — not knowing it’s Jared’s birthday.

  “There’s no worse day of the year than February 21st. It’s the worst.” (44:00 – Jordana)

• The segment becomes a classic for its genuine, unscripted mortification and quick, self-aware banter.
• Both agree it’s important to self-deprecate and admit when your own day is objectively bad.

2. The "Is That My Wife?" Story

[47:58–53:53]

• Jordana recounts witnessing a medical emergency in her building, resulting in the haunting line from a neighbor:

  “Is that my wife?” (49:52 – recounted by Jordana)

• The segment inspired listener catchphrases and merch.
• They discuss making light of dark moments, navigating moral lines, and how negative feedback lingers:

  “We made merch about a dead woman.” (53:04 – Jared)
  “That was prime... We made something very heavy, very light at someone’s expense that will never know about it.” (53:33 – Jordana)

3. The "Poop Bag" Urban Legend

[54:09–59:45]

• A now-famous listener email tells of a woman leaving a bag of her own feces (intended for the trash) on a one-night stand's kitchen counter along with her name and number.
• They debate whether this urban legend originated on U Up? and marvel at its viral reach:

  “It's funny to watch someone else do it and you’re like, ‘Well, this is a liar,’ and maybe someone’s looking at us being like, ‘These liars make up their emails.’” (59:06 – Jared)

4. "Milk Family" Red Flag/Deal Breaker Saga

[59:55–65:35]

• A classic hypothetical: What if your partner’s family drinks milk at dinner?
• A listener later wrote in to defend “milk families,” and the original couple (about whom the scenario was based) eventually got married.
• Reflecting on the segment:

  “That’s the art we’ve lost in this country, having a different opinion and having a fun conversation about it.” (65:25 – Jordana)

5. Jordana’s Legendary Laugh Choke

[66:07–69:48]

• Jared’s “masturbating Santa Claus” bit makes Jordana laugh so hard she chokes.
• Both note their fondness for dark jokes:

  “Nobody likes a dark joke more than Jordana Abraham.” (67:57 – Jared)
  “That’s where my mind goes. I’m a sicko.” (69:05 – Jordana)

Behind the Curtain: Notable Quotes & Podcast Philosophy

On Criticism & Vulnerability

• Jared:

  "The good feedback, it barely penetrates the surface. But when we get negative feedback, I remember every single one." (52:20)

On Making Dating Relatable

• Jared:

  "The underrated part about dating stuff is it's a social thing that is very, very lonely." (25:38)

• Jordana:

  "Because there are times you'll make a joke where I'm like... my training as a comedian is to go along with whatever you say." (68:27)

Petty or Prudent / Deal Reveal Favorite Segments

• Both hosts love analyzing the nuance behind supposed “petty” dating behaviors.
• Jared:

  "The tone is more clear... not all texts are the same, not all U Up?s are equal." (24:49)

• Jordana:

  "So much of dating behavior is so nuanced, and I think it’s fun to get into that." (24:25)

Dream Guests—Famous Ex-Boyfriends Edition (28:05–37:08)

• They imagine booking celebrity exes (Tom Sandoval, Joe Jonas, Jake Gyllenhaal, Brad Pitt, Derek Jeter) and speculate about their relationship logistics.
• Lightheartedly outline the ideal “celebrity hookup gift bag”:

  “What would make you feel best to get in that place in the gift bag?” (34:40 – Jared)

The Most Divisive Episode: Mel Robbins & "Let Them"

The Interview That Split the Audience [70:04–82:33]

• Mel Robbins appears as a guest, launching straight into blunt advice:

  “The people that you're dating aren’t the problem. You are.” (71:15 – Mel Robbins)

• Tension arises as Mel dismisses Jared's dating struggles as "the very low bar of being exclusive."

• Jared critiques her approach as lacking empathy, describing her style as performative and unhelpful for those seeking nuance:

  "You're minimizing my issue... the whole episode kind of felt like she was really trying to own the space.” (76:36 – Jared)

• The hosts note polarized reactions: fans either loved or hated it—no one was indifferent.

• Jared's stinging memory:

  “Jordana, congratulations on everything. Jared, you’ll be okay.” (80:13 – Mel Robbins) “She had no respect for me as a human.” (80:43 – Jared)

End of Episode: Gratitude and Looking Ahead

(83:03–end)

• Jordana:

  "There’s nothing I love in this world more than doing this show. It gives me so much purpose. I laugh harder than I do in any other scenario." (83:03)

• Jared:

  “It’s a pleasure to do this show with you, Jordana... Every time I meet [listeners], it makes me feel good about myself.” (83:32)

• Both reiterate their joy in building a community around honest, irreverent, and supportive dating conversation.

Key Timestamps for Iconic Segments

• Hosts’ Reflections & Insecurities: 01:28–11:13
• Origin Story + U Up? Text Evolution: 11:58–14:52
• Iconic Listener Stories:
  • "Worst Day of the Year": 42:27–47:05
  • "Is That My Wife?": 47:58–53:53
  • "Poop Bag Legend": 54:09–59:45
  • "Milk Family Saga": 59:55–65:35
  • Jordana's Laugh Choke: 66:07–69:48
• Mel Robbins Interview: 70:04–82:33
• Closing & Gratitude: 83:03–end

Episode Tone

• Warm, self-deprecating, and at times darkly humorous
• Willingness to laugh at themselves and each other
• Consistently honest & relatable, even when revisiting controversial or cringe-worthy moments

This episode perfectly encapsulates 8 years of U Up?’s ethos: making modern dating a little less lonely, a lot funnier, and never taking themselves too seriously. Longtime listeners will delight in the callbacks; new listeners get a high-speed tour through the podcast’s most legendary moments, dynamic chemistry, and both hosts’ evolving perspectives.