Brooke and Jeffrey: Second Date Update - Brooke Breaks You Up: Holiday Edition

Episode Date: December 18, 2025

It’s one of the most controversial segments in the history of our show, but today it comes with a twist. It's the Holiday Edition of Brooke Breaks You Up!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm investigative journalist Melissa Jeltson. My new podcast, What Happened in Nashville, tells the story of an IVF clinic's catastrophic collapse and the patients who banded together in the chaos that followed. It doesn't matter how much I fight. It doesn't matter how much I cry over all of this. It doesn't matter how much justice we get. None of it's going to get me pregnant.

Listen to what happened in Nashville on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Robert Smith, and this is Jacob Goldstein, and we used to host a show called Planet Money. And now we're back making this new podcast called Business History about the best ideas and people and businesses in history. And some of the worst people, horrible ideas and destructive companies in the history of business. First episode, how Southwest Airlines use cheap seats and free whiskey to fight its way into the airline is. The most Texas story ever. Listen to Business History on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get it.

Your podcasts. I knew it was a bomb the second that it exploded. I felt it ripped through me. In season two of RipCurrent, we ask who tried to kill Judy Berry and why. They were climbing trees and they were sabotaging logging equipment in the woods. She received death threats

before the bombing. She received more threats after the bombing. I think that this is a deliberate attempt to sabotage our movement. Episodes of RipCurrent Season 2 are available now. Listen on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, I'm Danny Shapiro.

We were in the car, like a Rolling Stone came on, and he said, there's a line in there about your mother. And I said, what? What I would do if I didn't feel like I was being accepted is choose an identity that other people can't have. I knew something had happened to me in the middle of the night, but I couldn't hold on to what had happened. These are just a few of the moving and important stories

on my 13th season. of Family Secrets. Listen to Family Secrets on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. From tips for healthy living to the latest medical breakthroughs, WebMD's Health Discovered podcast keeps you up to date on today's most important health issues. Through in-depth conversations with experts from across the health care community, WebMD reveals how today's health news will impact your life tomorrow. It's not that people don't know that exercise is healthy, it's just that people don't know why it's healthy. And we're struggling to try to help people help themselves and each other.

Listen to WebMD Health Discovered on the IHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. Normally at this time, we'll do second date updates, closure calls, textual healing. It's a fun time. But today, we're doing none of those.

Oh, okay. Instead, there's a big surprise waiting for someone in this room. Oh, is it me? They have no idea it's coming. I hate surprises on this show. And you know it's big because we're actually putting it right in the middle of our show. Oh, my God.

Not slotting it in at the end after one of Brooke's potato endorsements. You're going to find out who gets the big surprise. Yeah. Is it a big potato? No. Spoilers. It's coming up right after this. Welcome back to Brooke breaks you up.

Oh, no. It's Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning. Welcome back. Nobody wanted this back. Yeah, everybody wants. Are you kidding? It's one of the highest rated segments we've done all year. And we did it once.

How are we not going to do a sequel for it? It's like I've been dumped and dumped people so many times in my life. Do I have to keep doing it? That's what makes you an expert at this. That's why I got married so I didn't have to do it anymore. This time, we're switching it up because it's Brooke breaks you up holiday edition. For our listeners who may not be familiar with the segment, breaking up with someone's not an easy thing to do,

especially during Christmas. It's awkward, it's messy, but sometimes it is absolutely necessary. So why do it yourself when you can have Brooke do it? Her years of casual promiscuity have made her an expert on telling people, yeah, it's not really working out. You got what you wanted, and now you should probably move on and get yourself tested. It's an important conversation.

Don't waste your time. Don't waste your pretty. Brooke, this is a little bit of a surprise to you, but we did get an email from a listener. I printed it out, and I want you to be the one who reads it. Where is it? Okay. Our producer is standing it to me. This is a listener of ours who needs your help. Okay, I'll read the letter, Jeff.

Okay. That's the spirit, Brooke. What does it say? It says, hi, Brooke and Jeffrey. My name is Risha. I heard a segment you did called Brooke Breaks You Up, and I really need your help to ditch my boyfriend, Shane. Oh, no. Before Christmas.

I mean, you don't want to waste your money on a gift. Okay. Background. My family officially does not like him. Oh, well, this is going to be easier. Oh, okay, good. No, that's easier. That helps.

Yeah. He came over last year and had way too much eggnog, insulted my parents' Christmas tree. Oh, no. Called it dollar store chic. Oh, kind of a sick burn. Ended up pole dancing with it and then fell on top. of it.

How cring! And you dated for another year? It sounds like one of your exes, Brooke. Dude, this is not the first time he's done dumb stuff. Dumb stuff is capitalized in this letter. He's a good guy, but it's time for him to finally grow up and for me to move on to somebody else. I tend to shy away from tough conversations. That's why I really need you to do the dirty work and break up with him for me.

So the reason is he's dumb and does dumb stuff? I mean... He just insulted her entire family. I get it, but is that what you're going to say, Brooke? The letter ends, you're the best, Brooke. Risha. Brooke, there is a woman in need during the holidays. You're not going to be a scrooge and throw her out into the snow, are you?

The problem with dumb boys is they don't get it. That is the issue. But it's better than a nice, innocent guy. Well, we don't have a lot of time. We do have her boyfriend, Shane, already on the line right now. He's not heard any of this. So we got to get right to the call. Let's punch up Shane.

I know. And yes, we have to do it, Brooke. And we're just going to let you do your thing. We told him that it was a radio station contest thing we had to get in a whole of him for. A new poll for him to dance on me. So here we go. Let's do it. Let's punch him up.

Shane, you there? Hello? Hey, Shane, you're on Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Am I actually on air? This is crazy. And one member of the show has been dying to talk to you.

Oh, she's. No. Yeah. Hi, Shane. Shane, it's Brooke. Oh, my God. I listen to your podcast all the time. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry that's so embarrassing.

But you are my favorite person on the show. Oh, bro. Oh, really? She's mine too, bro. That's awesome. I love Brooke. That's interesting. Shane.

I got, listen, I got all my friends listening to you guys. I got my girlfriend listening to you guys. Well, you know, Shane, that's why we're calling. I don't mean to interrupt you, but we're calling because your girlfriend contacted us. Wait a minute. Is this trivia? Am I? I bet I could beat you a trivia.

No, she didn't set you up for a trivia game. We're not doing the trivia game with Brooke right now. This is something else. Oh, this is a little more serious. You could turn it into trivia. Yeah, Brooke, we don't have a lot of time, so we've got to just get to it real quick. Shane, I don't know how to tell you this, buddy. You seem like such a nice guy

You seem like you have great energy And I love to hear that you have such a good friend group That is going to be crucial right now Okay Okay, what's happening? Okay, here's the thing, Shane Risha wrote us and we do this terrible segment It's called Brooke breaks you up

And I'm Brooke and that's what I'm calling to do Because Rite Risha wrote in and she said She didn't know how to tell you because she didn't want to hurt you. Obviously, this is going to hurt you. There's no way around that.

But it's just your guys' relationship has run its course. Wait a second. Is this a phone tap? Brooke, you had me. That's so cruel. What did I say? I mean, he knows the show. You can't blame him for that.

Listen, Shane, she told us all about the Christmas tree and you getting too drunk at Christmas last year. And I mean, I'm going to be honest, like her family, not a huge fan. Wait, this isn't a joke? No, it's not a joke, buddy. I'm sorry. So you're really doing this, Brooke? You're breaking up with me for her?

I think that she just thought it would be easier for you if it came from somebody you trusted and loved. You don't love me. I don't mean that. Like, I love love you. I mean, like, you're a fan of the show. This isn't going well. Shane, I- Breakups never go well, Jeff.

It always ends bad. It sucks for one person. And unfortunately, that person is Shane. And listen, Shane, you live it up through the holidays. You drink as much eggnog as you want, and you go ahead and talk about their stupid family dollar store chic tree that they have. You don't want to be part of that family anyway. Okay. Yeah, great idea, Brooke.

You know what I'll do? I'll do a drinking game where I take a shot every time you call me buddy. Oh, I only did that once. I didn't know you weren't like that. I felt bad. Brooke has alienated not one but two of our listeners while doing one a favor. Wow, bro. I mean, why too?

You just crapped on Risha and her whole family. No, I'm just saying Risha understands. Like, if you're going to get over a breakup, you got to not feel good about, yeah, there's anger in it. Let's stop trying to justify our past behavior. Shane, I am sorry that Brooke did this to you during the holiday season. And I know this is probably weird to ask, but hopefully Brooke still your favorite on the show. Don't ask that. Don't ask that.

I hope she is. You know, if she was, it was only because the other two are so low on the totem pole that she still somehow maintains the lead. Oh, yeah. Alexis? Yeah, I feel that energy. So anyway, I'm sorry, man. Try and have a good holidays. We do fear really bad. We got to hang up, though, okay? You're just going to hang up? Like, just tell him something nice. Okay, you can move in with Brooke and her family for the holidays. Jane, you're going to be fine, okay? You don't need Risha. We can give you a keychain, maybe. Radio station swag. We will send some your way, but whatever. Screw you guys. Okay. That was mostly directed towards Brooke, I feel like. That was definitely a tough one.

Well deserved. Where are they ever going to be good? That's kind of your job, to make it good. It's not going to happen, Jeff. Someone will be relieved someday. Yeah, one day. Like, oh, I wanted to break up with them too. Thank you. Listen.

We're going to find that version of the one in a thousand. It was tough, but it is the holiday season. Okay. So Brooke breaks you up for the holidays and Brooke also gets you back together. That's why I have a surprise for her. What's that? Coming up next, two people are on the line. One wants to get back together with the other.

Oh, no. Brooke is going. That's a good idea either. It's happening. Brooke is going to get you back together for the holidays coming up right after this. It's Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning. And if you were just listening a couple minutes ago, you heard Brooke breaks you up before Christmas. And you're not going to believe this, Brooke.

But people on the text board weren't 100% thrilled with it. Oh, shocking. Guess what? People who aren't happy. I'm not either. Oh, it's not very nice to yell back at the people who aren't happy. They're just giving us feedback on the show. Oh, okay.

One person even said, I need to tell my therapist about what Brooke just did because that traumatized me forever. And that's from your son, Adler. But it's good that he already has a therapist. Yeah, well, we started young in our family. That's good. The thing is, we may. Oh, my God, first word, get the therapist. We may have a chance for redemption for you, Brooke, because now you have the opportunity to bring two exes back to.

together for the holidays. You do not want to go 0 for two today. I don't know, because the thing is, is if I fail this, that I'm an even bigger jerk. Wait, we have two Xs that already want to get back together, or we have one X who wants to get back together. One guy wants you to help him get back together. Jay is hoping that you can work some magic today.

He emailed the show, looking for Brooke's help. Let's punch him up. Hey, Jay, welcome to Brooke gets you back together. for the holidays. Hey, how you're doing? We don't have a lot of time here. I mean, honestly, I need a quick, I mean, honestly, I need a quick rundown of give me three highlights of the relationship and why it ended.

Wow. Let's start with her name so Brooke can write it down and not forget it like she did with the last person. That would be important. I would really blow it if I called her the wrong name. What's your ex's name? Jenna. Jenna.

Okay. Write it down, Brooke. Okay. How long were you and Jenna together? About three years. Okay. In those three years, what did you love about Jenna and your relationship? I love that she was a book reader, so she was very knowledgeable.

Okay, she could read. She's smart. So what did you love about your relationship together? She had a lot to talk about. Interesting. Chatty Kathy, go ahead. Write it down. And then...

She was supportive, honestly. Did everything for him. Okay, good. That's hard to find. Wait, this is all so sweet. See, actually, I want you guys to be back together. Why did it end? This is what I want to know.

Listen, I got really into watching European soccer. And since they play in Europe, I'd be going to bars like five in the morning to watch a match and to drink. And it just wasn't healthy. She wasn't coming with you to the bars at 5 a.m. To support you and your hobbies. They're always full, though, for those games. The bars, Lucie? I'm having a hard time believing that she dumped you because you liked European soccer too much.

I didn't, I guess I didn't pay enough attention to her And so she broke up with me eight months ago Oh, listen to that maturity though in the realization What's changed in the last eight months From then until now? Well, you know, I got back into the gym I'm even doing a book club Because I know she loves books

Oh, wow That is so cute Is this have to do with the soccer season ending Or is it just Alexis, we don't need those details Honestly, I'm not a huge reader But it's me showing her that I want to talk to more about stuff and I want to do things that she likes. Okay, and better yourself.

I love this. Yeah, I even changed my name. It used to be Kenny. What? Wait. Yeah. Wait, what the name? Are you, are you to change your name?

Kenneth now? His name is Jay, remember? Oh, shoot. You wrote it out. I wrote Jen it down. I didn't write his name. Okay. His name is Jay.

You know, but I, but listen, listen, I like, but I changed it to Jay, like Gatsby. You know, that's one of her favorite books. Oh, good. The Great Gatsby. Is that his name? And he changed his name to Jay in the book as well to create a new, like a better identity for himself. Okay. And that's why I want to do, you know, for love.

Okay. When did you change the name? Is she going to learn this when we call her? She doesn't know that I changed my name yet. No. So Kenny is important here. Brooks, so you are going to be the one to tell her for the first time he changed his name for her. Yeah, please.

That's a lot. Yeah. Wow. And if you can't be convinced to give me another chance, especially for the holidays. Because it's been three years since I spent one single and not having her. Oh, because you broke up eight months ago. So that's your first holiday by yourself. Okay.

Got it. So we're running out of time. We do already have Jenna on the phone right now. She's been waiting to talk to us. She just doesn't know why she's on the phone yet. She has not been hearing any of this. So we're going to punch her up and let you talk to her. Redeem yourself, Brooke?

Yeah, I'm ready. All right, Jay, we're going to pot you down and we're going to punch up Jenna. Here we go. Brooke, go ahead, talk to her. Hi, Jenna. It's Brooke from Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning. Hi. Hi. How are you? So good. Welcome to the show. Hey. I think we have fantastic news for you. Oh, okay, great.

I do think that because like, okay, so we've heard your single. Is that true? Yes, that is true. Okay. And the person we heard that from is someone who definitely does not want you to be single. someone who is very interested in you Okay And I know we've never met before But they said that you're super smart You're really interesting

You have so much to talk about And add to a relationship They just can't stop thinking of you Not in a creepy way No, in a positive way In like the cutest way ever Because you actually know this person Is this one of my co-workers

Because oh my gosh I'm thinking about Two really cute ones Oh no Nope, better than your coworker because it's someone that you have loved in your life Oh, wow And they realized that maybe

In your relationship that you had with them before They didn't pay enough attention to you And they're really regretful of that Wait, is this Kenny? Well, it used to be Kenny Kenny's dead No, no, we can't say to that Listen, listen, listen, Kenny,

His personality died. Yes. I'm literally saying that because he is doing everything in his power to show you and himself that he is a new improved person. Even he's gone so far as to change his name. So Kenny, Kenny is now Jay. And Jay is awesome. I am so confused. Why would he do that?

He's a thoughtful guy. I mean, he's gone so far as to not only did he start a book club, but he remembered that your. favorite book, or one of your favorite books, was the Great Gatsby. So that's why he chose the name Jay, because that is a character who transforms in that book. What is happening? Are you serious? Yes, he

likes you. He just wants to try it one more time. Can you say that higher pitch, Brooke? No, Kenny can, though. Or Jay. Jay, tell her. Yeah, I want you back. Oh. A little more romantic than that, my man. Yeah. Honey, this is you know, I can't do another Christmas

about you. I just can't, you know, I need you in my life. And, you know, I've made all these changes and I'll do anything for you. He totally didn't read that out of a book, by the way. That was from the heart. He did. He's being romantic. I don't even know what to say right now. Listen, I know this is probably really overwhelming, Jenna. We kind of blindsided you with this with your ex-boyfriend, but. No, I want an answer, Jeff. Well, that's what I'm getting to is The name of this segment is Brooke gets you back together for Christmas. So we're hoping that you are going to be open to getting back with your new and improved ex, Jay. What do you think, Jenna?

Are you willing to give your ex another shot? Well, I mean, he sounds like he's making really good choices, and that was the reason we broke up was that he wasn't. So the love never died. Oh, you're back together. Sometimes they say a lot of it is timing. So maybe this is the time. Dude, he's ready.

He's ready. I mean, I don't know what for Christmas is you. I think I am. I'm willing to try. Well, congratulations. It sounds like you too. This is so cute. You're going to at least meet and see how it feels.

And if it works out, then 100% of the credit goes to Brooke. Oh, thank you, Jeffrey. Yeah. Jeff will refuse to never call you back so we never know. Oh, my God. How does that sound? It sounds great. Oh, my God.

You two are so cute that I guarantee there's thousands of listeners texting their ex right now, which is not always a good idea. No, it's not a way. Hey, would you mind call me by my new name? Like, I just, I would love to hear it. Jay. Wow. Oh, God.

Oh, I love that. Okay. We better hang up on the phone before. Oh, my goodness. He's going to get out of control. It would be sexier if you have more vowels in his name. Brooke and Jeffrey in the phone. morning. I'm investigative journalist Melissa Jeltson. My new podcast, What Happened in Nashville,

tells the story of an IVF clinic's catastrophic collapse and the patients who banded together in the chaos that followed. We have some breaking news to tell you about. Tennessee's Attorney General is suing a Nashville doctor. In April 2024, a fertility clinic in Nashville shut down overnight and trapped behind locked doors were more than a thousand frozen embryos. I was terrified. Out of all of our journey, that was the worst moment ever. At that point, it didn't occur to me what fight was going to come to follow. But this story isn't just about a few families' futures. It's about whether the promise of modern fertility care can be trusted at all. It doesn't matter how much I fight. Doesn't

matter how much I cry over all of this. It doesn't matter how much justice we get. None of it's going to get me pregnant. Listen to what happened in Nashville on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Have you ever listened to those true crime shows and found yourself with more questions than answers? And what is this? How is that not a story we all know? What's this? Where is that?

Why is it wet? Boy, do we have a show for you? From smartless media, campside media, and big money players comes crimeless. Join me, Josh Dean, investigative journalists. And me, Roy Scoville, comedian, as we celebrate the amazing creativity of the world's dumbest criminals. We'll look into some of the silliest ways folks have broken the laws. Honestly, it feels more like a high-level prank than a crime. Who catfish is a city?

And meets some memorable anti-heroes. There are thousands of angry, horny monkeys. Clap, if you think, she's a witch. And it freaks you out. He has X-ray vision. How could I not follow him? Honestly, I got to follow him. He can see right through me.

Listen to Crimless on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Well, another one in the bag. Yep. That was Brooke breaks you up. And I have a lot of mixed feelings about this segment. I don't love doing it often. Yeah. But I also think that like if you're not meant to be with someone, you should break it off.

Like I hate when I've watched friends stay in relationships that aren't going. anywhere and I'm like you're wasting your time you're wasting your pretty move on. No, she's going to stop cheating on me after the fourth time, Brooke. I promise. So, you know, as sad as it can be, I also think that it's usually for the best.

What do you prefer doing? Brooke breaks you up or Brooke gets you back together? I don't know. I like Brooke in the middle of the intimate moment. I want you in the middle. Brooke helps with your intimate life. That's the same thing. Brooke wakes up with you in the morning.

The next morning. Yeah, just me in the middle. I like that. Did we get in the comments? Yeah. Yes, we did. Someone said whoever came up with this segment, genius. You need a raise.

Let's slow it down a little bit. Someone said, please get Alexis to break someone up. Which, let me tell you, you would end up married. Or it's not. I feel like you just probably move cities. Yeah. You know, I could change you. I'll be change your name.

Okay. New identity, location. Sneak out in the middle of the night. I like it. Smart. Well, there it is. Definitely leave your comments and hit that subscribe button. Thanks for being here. It's Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning. I'm investigative journalist Melissa Jeltson. My new podcast,

What Happened in Nashville, tells the story of an IVF clinic's catastrophic collapse and the patients who banded together in the chaos that followed. It doesn't matter how much I fight. Doesn't matter how much I cry over all of this. It doesn't matter how much justice we get. None of it's going to get me pregnant. Listen to what happened in Nashville on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Atlanta is a spirit. It's not just a city. It's where Kronk was born in a club in the West End.

A four world star, it was 559. Where preachers go viral. And students at the HPCU turned heartbreak into resurrection. Where Dream was brought Hollywood to the south. And hustlers bring their visions to create black wealth. Nobody's rushing into relationships with you. I'm Big Rube. Listen to Atlanta is.

On the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, I'm Danny Shapiro. We were in the car, like a Rolling Stone came on, and he said, there's a line in there about your mother. And I said, what? What I would do if I didn't feel like I was being accepted is choose an identity that other people can't have. I knew something had happened to me in the middle of the night, but I couldn't hold on to what had happened. These are just a few of the moving and important stories on my 13th season of Family Secrets. Listen to Family Secrets on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

From tips for healthy living to the latest medical breakthroughs, WebMD's Health Discovered podcast keeps you up to date on today's most important health issues. Through in-depth conversations with experts from across the health care community, WebMD reveals how today's health news will impact your life tomorrow. It's not that people don't know that exercise is healthy. It's just that people don't know why it's healthy. And we're struggling to try to help people help themselves and each other. Listen to WebMD Health Discovered on the IHeart Radio app or wherever you get your podcasts. I knew it was a bomb the second that it exploded. I felt it ripped through me.

In season two of Rip Current, we ask, who tried to kill Judy Berry and why. They were climbing trees and they were sabotaging logging equipment in the woods. She received death threats. Before the bombing, you receive more threats after the bombing. I think that this is a deliberate attempt to sabotage our movement. Episodes of Rip Current Season 2 are available now. Listen on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.