U Up? Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode: "How Old Is Too Old To Be Gaming?"

Hosts: Jordana Abraham & Jared Freid

Date: December 10, 2025

Overview

In this lively, laughter-filled episode, Jordana and Jared delve into a thorny modern dating question: is gaming a turn-off as adults—and if so, why? The pair also cover memorable run-ins with celebrities, dissect awkward social interactions, and field listener emails about relationship “icks,” friendships with exes, home decor (or lack thereof), plus their signature “Icky or Picky” and “Red Flag or Dealbreaker” games. Through their personal stories and witty banter, they keep things real, relatable, and ruthlessly funny.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Catching Up, Celebrity Encounters & Personal Updates

• Podcast Chair Rivalry (01:10-02:55)

  • Jared playfully boasts about sitting in Jordana's favorite chair at the Betches studio, jokes about “the skinny chair,” and how the hosts jostle for seating pre-recording.
  • “Now that we all collectively realize that's the chair, some people are getting here early to make sure they get the chair.” — Jordana (02:44)

• Betches Milestone: Working with Lindsay Lohan (03:40-04:50)

  • Jared and Jordana reflect on Lindsay Lohan's cultural impact, Betches’ Mean Girls roots, and share a heartwarming story about Aileen (Betches co-founder) meeting Lohan as a kid.
  • “Betches was built on the tenets of Mean Girls… she is a Millennial woman icon.” — Jordana (04:45)

• Personal Loss and Support (09:10-09:35)

  • Jordana shares, with candor and gratitude, that her father recently passed away, expressing appreciation for support and choosing to focus on light-hearted podcasting.

• Jared’s Comedy Life & Family Anecdotes (13:00-15:00)

  • Behind-the-scenes look at Jared's comedy shows, YouTube vlogs, and funny dynamics between his mom and home organizers.

Awkward Social Interactions

• The “You Look Miserable” Bar Encounter (17:00-28:00)

  • Jared recounts being unexpectedly confronted by a casual acquaintance at a bar, accused of looking "so miserable." The hosts debate: Was she slighted because he didn’t recognize her, or just being rude?
  • “Every time I see you here, you look so miserable.” — Hannah Burner’s cousin to Jared (20:20)
  • They riff on how “being approachable” at a bar is fraught, especially when you want selective interaction.

• Rush Cards and College “Miserable” Comments (23:45-24:53)

  • Jordana shares a funny/awkward anecdote: her sorority’s rush cards listed her as “looks miserable,” highlighting the difficulty of projecting approachability.

Main Listener Email: “How Old Is Too Old To Be Gaming?” (38:00–53:00)

• The Scenario:

  • 38F writes in: her 42-year-old boyfriend loves video games—never plays in her presence, but she’s turned off knowing he spends weekends inside gaming. She worries it reflects poorly on him (and maybe, by extension, her).

• Hosts’ Analysis:

  • Video games = valid adult hobby; shouldn't be shamed.
  • The issue is less about gaming itself and more about her projections, ego, or anxiety about “dating a gamer.”
  • “Is it about his interests, or is it about him?” — Jared (43:17)
  • Jordana notes this mirrors how people can fixate on small “icks,” often reflecting insecurity or ego rather than true incompatibility.
  • Both hosts compare to their own lives: Jared losing touch with gaming after controllers got too complex; Jordana’s early aversion to Mike’s Coca-Cola habit.
  • Suggest confronting whether this is really a dealbreaker, or simply a reflection of her own discomfort with his interests.

• Memorable quotes:

  • “She sounds like his mom.” — Jared (43:54)
  • “You went to the market to date someone and came back with Video game kid.” — Jared (45:24)
  • “This is not your son. This is your boyfriend who is blowing off steam...” — Jared (44:08)

Icky or Picky: The “Overnight Duffel Bag Guy” (61:28–74:46)

• Listener Story:

  • A woman recounts a date with a man (26, lives with parents, teacher): brings a duffel bag with a towel to their second date, which felt presumptuous.
  • She’s torn: is it an “ick” or was she being picky, since he was otherwise hot, made plans, and had good intentions?

• Hosts’ Take:

  • Both empathize: the bag is practical, but robs the encounter of spontaneity and “romantic possibility.”
  • The key is shame and subtlety—if he’d stashed the bag and fetched it later, or at least acknowledged the presumptuousness, it’d land better.
  • Lesson: there's a balance between planning and keeping things casual and romantic.
  • “This is a genie’s wish gone bad.” — Jared (67:50)
  • “I think anything is OK if it has some shame in it.” — Jordana (67:16)
  • “Sometimes a lie is caring. Storing it behind the bushes is caring.” — Jordana (71:10)

Red Flag or Dealbreaker: Quickfire Scenarios (76:44–91:00)

1. Friends with an Ex You’ve Slept With

• Scenario: Long-distance relationship, but partner still goes on hikes and drinks with an ex they once slept with.
• Hosts: Red flag at minimum, potentially a dealbreaker; it's rarely “just friendship.” Usually someone’s filling an emotional gap or getting ego boosts.
• “You enjoy their personality, you find them attractive, and you’re not dating—why?” — Jordana (78:57)
• “He needs attention. He needs a woman's care.” — Jared (81:07)

2. No Decor Apt & Critique

• Scenario: Woman dresses well but doesn't decorate home; man “helpfully” critiques afterward.
• Hosts: Decor preferences are neutral, but unsolicited critique—especially after vulnerability—is problematic.
• “The joke has already been made by me.” — Jordana (88:00)
• “All you’re doing is just showing that you’re trying to be mean.” — Jared (88:12)

3. Comedy Show ‘Invoice’

• Scenario: Guy invites woman to comedy show (“spare ticket”) then invoices her for $40 on the day-of.
• Hosts: Total dealbreaker. If it’s a date, just pay; the “spare ticket” language strongly implied he was treating.
• “Don’t invite me and then charge me for the invitation.” — Jared (89:34)
• “It’s a date… Spare ticket means you’re paying.” — Jordana (89:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the gaming boyfriend:
  “She never really references how her life is damaged by this… so maybe you’re not into him?” — Jared (51:44)

• On “looking miserable” in public:
  “Maybe that’s why we get along — we both have a look of miz. We’re both Les Mis.” — Jared (24:53)

• On relationship icks:
  “There should be a word for an ick for the person you’re dating.” — Jordana (53:02) “That’s what the Bachelor is for her—it’s her hobby. It’s her video games.” — Jared (51:07)

• On being normal in dating:
  “Just be normal.” — Both hosts, many times throughout the episode

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Famous Chair Wars & Lindsay Lohan/Betches Roots: 01:10–05:00
• Support and Coping with Loss: 09:10–10:30
• Awkward Socializing/Approachability: 17:00–28:00
• Main Email: Video Game Boyfriend: 38:00–53:00
• Icky or Picky: Duffel Bag/Overnight After First Date: 61:28–74:46
• Red Flag / Dealbreaker (Friends with Ex, No Decor Critiques, Comedy Show Invoice): 76:44–91:00

Takeaway

This episode playfully dives into the everyday dilemmas of contemporary dating—from grown-up “gamer boys” and ex drama to “ick” moments and the challenge of simply being normal in romance. Jared and Jordana’s banter, personalizations, and no-nonsense empathy reveal: judgment is easy, but self-reflection—and a little bit of shame—goes a long way in keeping love (and life) funny, forgiving, and real.