U Up? — New Year, New Dating Rules

Hosts: Jordana Abraham & Jared Freid
Date: December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively and reflective New Year’s Eve episode, hosts Jordana Abraham and Jared Freid dive into the year in review, personal milestones and losses, and most importantly—new dating resolutions and rules for 2026. They share candid stories, poke fun at themselves and each other, and answer listener dilemmas on jealousy, New Year’s plans, and dating etiquette. Throughout, they offer actionable advice with their trademark mix of honesty, humor, and vulnerability, making this an inspiring episode for anyone rethinking their approach to dating and relationships in the new year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Year in Review: Absorbing Milestones and Making Sense of Change

[02:10–07:00]

• Reflection: Both Jordana and Jared look back on 2025, discussing major changes in their lives.
  • Jordana balances the joy of pregnancy with the grief of losing her father (“birth and loss… very cycle of life” - Jordana, [03:29]).
  • Jared processes moving, selling his New York apartment, and entering a phase of personal and professional growth.
• Emotional Realism: The hosts talk about the “gravity” and emotional discomfort of such transitional years.
  • “I felt like this was a year of forcing myself to grow up a little bit.” - Jared, [05:36]
  • Both agree that growth feels “uncomfortable” but is ultimately beneficial.

2. The Turning 40 Moment & Life Stages in Dating

[06:10–08:11]

• Jared shares how reaching 40 has him re-evaluating life and timelines, especially related to love and starting a family.
  • “If I met the love of my life tonight, I would be 60 when the kids graduated high school.” - Jared, [07:04]
• Jordana compares the male “turning 40” moment to women’s experience at 30—when the bigger questions about time and life paths start pressing.

3. Dating Resolutions for 2026

[08:21–14:01]

• Jared’s Resolutions:
  • End things quicker—no more dates where he isn’t picturing long-term potential.
    • “So just know if Jared's on a date with you in 2026, he could marry you.” – Jordana, [09:13]
  • Direct communication—if he feels something (positive or negative), he’ll say it.
  • Enjoy climaxing more—leaning into joy and not holding back physically or emotionally.
    • “Fully scream to the heavens every single time.” – Jared, [09:56]
  • Integrating romance and career—bringing potential partners on the road, not keeping life compartments separate.
  • Build intimacy and authenticity—“fart in front of one woman romantically” (a running joke about comfort and intimacy).
  • Strengthen friendships—prioritize making plans socially, not just professionally.
• Jordana’s Perspective:
  • Prepping for motherhood, she aims to keep a positive outlook, resist expectations of marital/relationship stress, and preserve fun and romance after her twins are born.
    • “My goal is… as it becomes a business, to not forget the romance part of it.” – Jordana, [21:31]
  • She discusses advice around “expecting” the first year of parenting to be hard, but she wants to approach it with excitement and gratitude.

4. New Year, New Dating Attitude: Making Goals Tangible

[14:01–22:43]

• Jared stresses that effective resolutions are actionable, not just aspirational.
  • “Some people make dating resolutions of like, I'm going to meet someone this year. Like, that's not actionable.”
• Encouragement to allow resolutions and personal boundaries to evolve with changing life circumstances.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “If I like someone, I'm going to tell them I like them. If I don't see a future, I'm going to tell them I don't see a future.” – Jared, [09:35]
• (On climaxing more) “I'm not just going to hold back anymore. Fully scream to the heavens every single time.” – Jared, [09:56]
• “When you get with me, it's the whole shebang.” – Jared, [10:51]
• “I want all farts to be heard, to be acknowledged, to be loved.” – Jared, [12:04]
• “The most, the scariest thing to me about having these two kids is that there can be like, no moment where they're not being watched by you or someone else.” – Jordana, [16:52]
• (On approaching the first year with twins) “Remember that it’s going to be fun. That it could be fun.” – Jordana, [20:20]
• “Fun seems to always be one of those things that, like, makes you look like you’re stupid.” – Jared, [19:04]

Notable Listener Dilemmas & Advice

Pettier Prudent: Cancelling the Situationship’s Reservation

[26:27–36:31]

• Listener deletes her ex’s New Year’s Eve restaurant booking after seeing him with a new girl on Instagram—petty, or justified?
  • Both hosts find it “extremely petty,” hilarious, and straight out of a romcom.
  • “This is a scene out of the remake of the First Wives Club.” – Jared, [29:28]
  • The consensus: It’s not evil, but it is petty (“He's getting away with murder...all they do is cancel a reservation. He wins still.” – Jared, [31:42])
  • Unfollowing exes is recommended for mental health.

Relationship Ambition & Social Etiquette

[38:56–53:52]

• Listener concerned her boyfriend, though loving, lacks ambition and passively avoids paying in group situations.
  • Jordana points out: Her examples focus on appearances and social cues, rather than genuine lifestyle incompatibilities.
  • “I think all the things she's looking at are resentments. I think she's...picking at [them].” – Jared, [50:03]
  • They recommend clear communication about future goals but also validate: It is fair to end a relationship if ambition and pride ratios don’t match.

Red Flag/Deal Breaker: No New Year’s Kiss?

[56:38–62:36]

• Listener’s boyfriend refuses any public displays of affection—even on NYE.
  • “This is a weird rule.” – Jordana, [58:06]
  • Both agree compromise is key, but an inflexible stance would be a dealbreaker: “If he's like, 'This is my rule. I'm not discussing it.' That would be icky to me.” – Jordana, [62:29]

Red Flag/Deal Breaker: Kissing a Gay Best Friend

[62:38–68:39]

• Listener’s boyfriend calls a NYE peck with her gay best friend “cheating.”
  • Both find his reaction over-the-top and rooted in insecurity, not reality.
  • “In what world is a peck on the lips from your gay best friend cheating?” – Jordana, [63:32]
  • “It's so dramatic.” – Jared, [67:34]
  • Acknowledged: Feeling a bit uncomfortable is normal, but equating it to cheating is extreme and likely a red flag.

Red Flag/Deal Breaker: Staying Home on NYE

[68:41–74:29]

• Listener feels “off” that his new girlfriend spent last NYE alone at home.
  • Jordana suggests it's possibly a generational/age thing—less sad for older adults, maybe odd for someone younger.
  • Jared shares his own NYE solo experiences; the vibe depends on how it’s framed and the individual’s attitude.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• New Year’s Reflections (02:10–07:00)
• Turning 40 & Life Analysis (06:10–08:11)
• Dating Resolutions (08:21–14:01)
• Making Resolutions Tangible (14:01–22:43)
• Pettier Prudent: Deleting the Ex’s Dinner Resy (26:27–36:31)
• Relationship Ambition & Social Etiquette (38:56–53:52)
• Red Flag/Deal Breaker Game (55:08–74:29)
  • No PDA Boyfriend (56:38–62:36)
  • Kissing a Gay Best Friend (62:38–68:39)
  • Solo NYE Plans (68:41–74:29)

Tone & Style

• Candid, Vulnerable, and Humorous: The hosts pair self-deprecating jokes with emotional honesty, making even awkward or sad moments feel relatable and light.
• Action-Oriented: Throughout, focus is on what listeners can do—from building better relationship habits to learning where to draw boundaries in love and social life.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode delivers both laughter and practical wisdom for anyone reflecting on the past year and gearing up for dating with renewed purpose in the next. With spirited banter, raw moments, and actionable insights, Jordana and Jared prove why “U Up?” remains a go-to resource for navigating modern dating’s chaos—one New Year’s resolution (or deal breaker) at a time.