U Up? Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: Is Saying 'Boyfriend' Cringe?
Date: November 12, 2025
Hosts: Jordana Abraham & Jared Freid

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jordana and Jared dive deep into modern dating anxieties around “hard launching” a relationship on social media, the emerging trend (and accompanying Vogue article) questioning if having a “boyfriend” has become ‘cringe,’ and the identity crisis that can arise for independent women entering relationships. The hosts also hilariously recap personal stories, discuss scammy DM attempts, tackle wild listener emails—including awkward neighbor sex noises—and debate topics like pet etiquette and dating app age fibs. The episode deftly balances light-hearted banter with thoughtful cultural commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Icebreaker & Halloween Recaps (03:02–16:00)

• Jared’s Gym Halloween Party: Jared describes attending a gym costume party solo, humorously reflecting on the social bravery required to go to events alone.
  • Jared: “It was easier to talk to couples… I must have sounded like I was looking for a third!” (08:27)
• Jordana’s Halloween in Aruba: Jordana shares her “anti-Halloween” tip: vacationing somewhere it’s not celebrated for a peaceful, kid-free getaway.
• Takeaways: Both hosts reflect on how social events feel different when single versus coupled, and the “braveness” society attributes to going solo.

2. The Sincere or Scam Game: NHL DM Slide (16:00–29:53)

• Listener Story: Jordana’s friend, a stylist, is approached by an alleged NHL player for personal styling, but the communication turns flirty and erratic, with questionable platform switching and no-shows.
• Jared’s Analysis:
  • Platform hopping is a “cheating guy thing.” (18:34)
  • “I should be a detective for women dealing with men doing stuff like this!” (17:36)
• Scam or Not? Unusual email domains and multiple stylists reporting the same thing tip the hosts to believe it’s a scam or catfish—possibly with a convoluted money or fetish angle.

3. Main Email: Is Having a Boyfriend "Cringe"? (34:24–48:54)

Listener’s Dilemma

• A woman asks if being in a relationship and posting your “boyfriend” is now embarrassing or if it's just new-relationship jitters, referencing a viral Vogue article and TikTok trend.

Hosts’ Breakdown

• Generational Shifts:
  • Jordana: The article “illuminates the way times have changed… where it used to be the end-all be-all to be in a relationship.” (38:16)
  • Jared feels current social media “algorithm chasing” has warped how people present milestones.
• Social Media & Identity:
  • Jared: “If you like posting as a normal human being and not just someone chasing an algorithm, you’re just posting the next episode.” (43:20)
  • Jordana: “The lamer thing to do is to maneuver your life around what does better on the internet, not vice versa.” (45:50)
• Independence Anxiety: The hosts validate the struggle of integrating “boyfriend” into a public identity formerly rooted in single independence.
• Article Critique: Jared feels Vogue leans too hard into “making men the villain,” while Jordana sees the ambivalence as reflecting complex shifts in cultural status markers.

Notable Quotes

• “Everything’s written in ink, and no one allows for growth… What you post at 25 isn't what you believe at 40.” – Jared (45:32)
• “It’s tacky to be too into anything [online]. Whether it’s kids, vacations, cars—or your boyfriend.” – Jordana (41:42)

4. Petty or Prudent? Canceling the Ex’s Car Service (51:13–59:54)

• Listener Story: After a difficult divorce, a woman gets repeated dealership emails about her ex’s car appointments; eventually, she cancels them rather than reach out directly.
• Hosts’ Take:
  • Initial reaction: Petty.
  • But after considering her failed attempts to fix the issue and avoid contact, both hosts lean “prudent.”
• Analogy: Jared compares it to quietly nudging a confused grandma out of his bed to avoid a tense conversation.
  • “Was I petty to do that to my grandmother? I don’t think so. Was she petty to do this to him? I don’t think maybe...” (58:26)

5. Noisy Upstairs Neighbors: Sex Edition (60:01–67:46)

• Listener Email: A couple’s new upstairs neighbors create wild (and recordable!) noise every time they have sex, shaking ceiling fans and moving pots.
• Hosts’ Advice:
  • Leave a polite note or text referencing “loud noises” without specifying sex, encouraging the neighbors to address it.
  • Jared provides a comical list of note suggestions:
    “We can hear you banging. We masturbate to it nightly. Thanks for the new kink.” (64:02)
  • Jordana: “Let them put it together. Just say ‘loud noises.’” (63:39)

6. Red Flag or Deal Breaker – Game Section (70:18–88:54)

Highlights:

• Loose Iguana Guy
  • A man lets his pet bearded dragon roam free, casually admitting it poops on the floor.
  • Both declare it a deal breaker: “Letting it go on the floor… that’s not a way to live.” – Jared (77:07)
  • Mini-rant: Jared finds women with pee-pad dogs are generally unprepared dog owners.
• Etsy Witch Banter
  • Listener jokes with a Bumble match about hiring an “Etsy witch” to curse him, unmatches after assumed ghosting, and wonders if the banter ruined her shot.
  • Analysis: Both agree the cursing banter is totally fine, but unmatching shows someone is “too emotionally affected by online dating.”
• The Age Filter Lie
  • Guy on Hinge sets his profile age to 42 but is really 47, claims it’s to dodge the “filters,” and explains awkwardly.
  • Jordana: “Once a liar, always a liar. Out.”
  • Jared: “Anytime someone brings up the algorithm on a dating app, they are out of their mind.” (87:21)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jared, on Solo Gym Parties:
  • “I tried dancing… just an owl dancing by himself, trying to move my hips. It’s brave, but is it brave or just sad?” (10:02)
• Jordana, on Changing Relationship Status:
  • “To me, it’s lame to be too into anything [publicly]… even if you are that person, that’s who you are, so just be it unapologetically.” (48:26)
• On Scammy DMs:
  • “Platform hopping is a cheating guy thing.” – Jared (18:34)
• On Pet Negligence:
  • “Pet iguana is the belly button ring of pets…” – Jared (74:21)
• Dating App Nonsense:
  • “If it’s not easy, you’re chasing a ghost.” – Jared (89:48)

Episode Timestamps

• 03:02 – Halloween party recap; being single at events
• 16:00 – Sincere or Scam: NHL DMs a stylist
• 34:24 – Main email: Is saying ‘boyfriend’ cringe? (+Vogue article debate)
• 51:13 – Petty or Prudent: Canceling the ex’s car service appointments
• 60:01 – Noisy upstairs sex: advice for awkward neighbors
• 70:18 – Red Flag or Deal Breaker: pet dragons, “Etsy witches,” age lies
• 87:17 – Dating app algorithm rants

Final Thoughts

The episode is classic U Up?: vulnerable, funny, and honest about the “cringe” and contradictions of dating in 2025. The hosts encourage listeners to be authentic on (and off) social media, pointing out the pressures to brand one’s relationship instead of living it, all while keeping things light and relatable. Whether it’s handling exes, noisy neighbors, or moving from “main character” single life to coupled up, Jordana and Jared assure listeners: it’s not embarrassing to want connection—just don’t lose yourself (or your sense of humor) along the way.