U Up? Podcast: "It's Taylor Swift & Mean Girls Day!"

Date: October 3, 2025
Hosts: Jordana Abraham & Jared Freid

Episode Overview

In this lively Friday episode, Jordana and Jared celebrate a day tailor-made for modern pop culture fans: a new Taylor Swift album and the annual "Mean Girls Day" (October 3rd). They ride the "basic" wave—pumpkin spice lattes, Gilmore Girls, infinity scarves—leaning into the fun and nostalgia that autumn brings. The pair then pivot back to their bread-and-butter: dissecting the messy terrain of dating, with signature humor and candid takes on everything from dating app apathy, social media DM adventures, and what it really means when an ex won't stop texting about their "fabulous" solo journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. October 3rd: Ultimate Basic Girl Holiday (01:46–02:46)

• The hosts declare October 3rd as a modern holiday for all things basic: Taylor Swift, Mean Girls, Gilmore Girls, PSLs, and sweater weather.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Jared: “It's like the basic Christmas today." (01:56)
  • Jordana: “Great day to reminisce on your exes in every way they've wronged you.” (02:21)

2. Dating Apathy and Setting Realistic Goals (02:46–09:44)

• Jared opens up about feeling apathetic about modern dating, admitting he’s grown cynical and lazy regarding the pursuit of relationships.
• Jordana challenges him to shift his mindset: maybe excitement requires being proactive and putting himself out there for genuine rejection and, in turn, growth.
• They create a tongue-in-cheek challenge: "Rejection October"
  • Jordana: “Your October goal should be to be rejected three times.” (07:21)
  • Jared: "That's a fair... Rejection October. I can't wait till it gets super popular when the old realtor woman does it. Yeah, you heard it here in November." (07:42)
• Takeaway: Personal vulnerability and experiencing rejection is both relatable and valuable—and excellent podcast content.

3. Ick or Picky Segment: Is He Gaslighting or Just Bailing? (13:33–19:14)

Scenario Recap [13:54–16:24]:

• A listener shares a dating story: she set up a first date, but her match keeps pushing her to cancel, insisting she’s “too tired” after she hints she’s busy, despite her assurance she’s excited to go.
• Jordana: “I've never seen someone try to get someone to cancel more.” (15:12)
• The hosts analyze the texts' gradual decline in enthusiasm, seeing it as a clear avoidance maneuver.

Hosts’ Analysis [16:50–19:14]:

• Both hosts agree: full "ick", not being picky.
• Jared: “It’s very clear. He doesn't want to go on the date.... It's even more of an ick that he's treating you like he's known you for 10 years.” (17:00)
• Jordana: “If he wants to cancel the date, he should just cancel the date, right? Not gaslight her into thinking that she canceled the date.” (17:38)
• They applaud the listener for her direct response and refusal to reschedule, underscoring the importance of upholding boundaries.

4. Listener Dilemma: Nomadic Ex-Boyfriend Won't Stop Bragging (24:26–36:06)

Situation Set-up [24:26–25:55]:

• A listener’s ex broke up to pursue a “nomadic, adventurous lifestyle,” but now constantly reaches out, bragging about his life abroad (sun-kissed in Portugal, drinking absinthe in Barcelona, buying guitars in Nicaragua).

Hosts’ Analysis [25:57–36:06]:

• Jared: "When you travel alone, that phone is your girlfriend... I think he's sending this to everyone..." (25:51)
• Jordana: “He’s basically wanting all of the perks of a girlfriend...without any of the commitment.” (30:36)
• They agree the ex’s messages are performative and self-serving, more about soothing his own loneliness and ego than true connection.
• Jared: “No one cares. You especially wouldn't write it as if it was the newsletter a dad writes about his family during Christmas.” (31:00)
• Jordana: “I think about you every day is a dick thing to say.” (33:10)
• The correct response, per the hosts: set boundaries and cut the emotional labor, as his continued narration puts the emotional cost back on his ex, who owes him nothing.
• Jordana: “He’s using her at the expense of her emotional well being so that he doesn't feel lonely.” (35:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jordana (on October 3rd):
  “Great day to reminisce on your exes in every way they've wronged you.” (02:21)
• Jared (on dating effort):
  “The work is really, like, going after someone that maybe scares me a little bit.” (05:34)
• Jordana (on listener’s date):
  “If he wants to cancel the date, he should just cancel the date, right? Not gaslight her into thinking that she canceled the date.” (17:38)
• Jordana (on performative exes):
  “He basically wants all the perks of a girlfriend...without any of the commitment." (30:36)
• Jared (on ex's updates):
  “No one cares. And you especially wouldn't write it as if it was the newsletter a dad writes about his family during Christmas.” (31:00)
• Jordana (on boundaries):
  “It’s nice that you think about me every day, but again, I don’t really need to know that because we’re broken up.” (32:45–33:07)

Key Timestamps

• 01:46–02:46: Basic Girl Day celebrations (Taylor, Mean Girls, PSL)
• 02:46–09:44: Dating apathy and “Rejection October” challenge
• 13:33–19:14: Ick or Picky segment—Listener’s first date red flag
• 24:26–36:06: Listener’s ex’s travel bragging & emotional boundaries

Tone & Atmosphere

The hosts balance playful banter with sincere insight, maintaining honesty and vulnerability. Jared takes self-deprecating shots at his own dating malaise, while Jordana anchors the discussion in practical advice and emotional intelligence. Their rapport is equal parts comedic and compassionate, never shying away from naming bad behavior but always rooting for listener resilience.