Two Hot Takes - 269: Rare Breed Pt 2!

Episode Date: May 21, 2026

Two Hot Takes host, Morgan, is joined by guest co-host Michaela! We're getting back into stories about some RARE breeds. People that are just a bit out there, wild, or so outrageous we can't even begin to understand. Like a guy who hid his fiancé's engagement ring, a MIL who hates her daughter-in-laws art, a guy who pulled a horrible litter box prank, and more! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on these! Partners: State Farm: Talk to a State Farm agent today to learn how you can choose to bundle and save with the Personal Price Plan®. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there®. Skims: skims.com/tht What brands are you into lately :) help a girl out with a 2 question survey: https://forms.gle/UxWw3RxGAPRoiYRg8 Patreon BONUS Content including FREE stories: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TwoHotTakes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ NEW MERCH:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.twohottakes.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WRITE IN TO US!! Our SubReddit! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoHotTakes/⁠⁠⁠ Full length Video episodes available on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/TwoHotTakes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Index: 00:00 -- Start Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I like your Lisa Gilroy impersonation. Oh my God, I forgot about that. Was that on an episode or was that Patreon? I was with you in this chair when I did it. I can't remember what it was for, though. I don't think I could replicate it. It was so good. It's actually one of the better impersonations I think I've heard.

Thank you for saying that. Thank you. You don't want to try? No, not right now, but like guys, you know, stay tuned because it'll happen one day. Maybe it'll come back to you. Oh, here we go, everyone. It's going to be a good episode. I'm excited.

I know. I was like, where have you been? Bella. Where have you been, Loka? It's so funny because it's been, what, like a month and a half? But that feels like a long time. That's actually, that's insane. I know.

That's insane. Oh, my gosh. Yeah. I'm like, I've just been, I don't even know what I've been doing. Hospital. You've been having an awful week. Like awful. Not to speak for you, but.

No, it's. like I'm still not right. And I appreciate everyone's comments so much because I felt like I was going absolutely nuts, like not understanding what was happening and like the doctor not really being like worried about it. But so many people were like, no, Cipro is like a pretty serious med. And like it's probably this and this. And so I did have to stop taking it because it was just so, so bad. But I'm still dealing with like such lasting anxiety from it. Yeah. And it's insane because it's like, Usually, like, I have anxiety at a baseline, but usually I can, like, distract myself or work around it. And it's like, no, this is just like a feeling of impending doom.

Yeah. And I'm like, what the hell? And I'm so I'm like, now I'm taking probiotics and prebiotics and whatever else I can like try to get my gut back on track because it's probably the gut brain, whatever is working. I'm just like, I feel like every week I hear a new thing that's affected by the gut. I know. Like every week, it's like, oh, and that's actually because of your gut. Our bodies are insane. I literally just saw a clip from the basement yard, and they were doing something with, like, Dr. Mike, eating hot food. And Dr. Mike was like, eating hot food can actually increase your risk of esophageal cancer. Okay, but like, I can't be keeping track of that kind of thing.

I'm already messed up. Like, maybe this is bad. I'll take the big ones. You know, if you give me like a big warning, like, ooh, you really shouldn't. be eating these kinds of eggs. I don't know. Don't know what that means. But I'll listen, you know what I mean? But if you're saying the hot food might increase one of the cancers, I can't be taking that into account. I know. I saw something about nerds too.

Nerds candy. If you eat more than like 2,000 pieces a year, you're at an unsafe arsenic level. Arsenic? Something crazy. How do nerds have arsenic? I'm going to fact check this. I believe you. But I'm glad you are.

Just in case. So there's an article that just came out. More than 20 popular candies tested positive for toxic levels of arsenic. I thought that this was something we left in the 90s. Dude, it's insane. Like Black Forest Gummy Bears, Laffy, Taffy, nerds. They can't keep getting away with this. I'm just like it's everything good.

I love candy. It's like it's literally everything good. But if I were to get nerds in another country, perhaps, ones that put less things into them, would it be different? We should do some research. We should. We should have a separate podcast. I've wanted to start down the rabbit hole back up. I love that idea.

I miss that show so much and it was so fun, like getting into the weird stuff and like learning on the fly with listeners and then having like listeners that were experts to literally chime in. And like I saw the comments about Henry Ford. and how the 9 to 5 work week was actually good because prior to that, the Industrial Revolution, and people were working way more hours per week. And I'm like, I'm like, I'm just trying to normalize my weird sleep schedule and get back to what humans were doing before. Yeah. But now I'm like, okay, I want to dive into the Industrial Revolution. And then I want to get into like suffrage and like women's voting.

I feel like the Industrial Revolution fucked a lot of things. It's so, I don't know. I'm like, I don't know enough about it. And our education system, not very good. So that's like one of my favorite things to listen to podcast for though. Learn niche little things. Yeah. Yeah.

And I think you can just keep a running list. Anytime there's something that you're like, I kind of want to know more about that. And then if you want to go back to In the Rabbit Hole. Maybe we do this. Yes. Maybe we start back up. Got nothing but time, Morgan. Let's go.

Okay, let's get back into these weird, rare breed stories. People just kind of being rare breeds in good ways, like special, kind, nice people. which is a rare breed. But also there's some little freaks out there. Yeah. There's some little freaks. And you always, I think it's so special to find that still in this day and age to still be surprised. Oh, you know what I mean? Yeah. Every week I'm like, Shirley, we've seen it all. At this point, there's no way nothing can shock me anymore. I mean, you sent me the title of the story you found. Yeah. You guys just wait. Just wait. I literally my jaw dropped. I put my Akitar book down. Spoiler alert. If you have haven't read Akatar skip a minute. I'm on number three baby. We made it. Fuck Tamlin. I'm just like,

she just got back from the spring court. Spoiler, spoiler. I know. Okay, wait. That's like a huge. I know. Okay. It's had to stop to record the spoiler. But I'm just like, oh my God, it's so good. Now I'm worrying. I'm worrying with like where my heart lies though. Whoa, you don't know if you like fourth finger or Akatar better. I know. I don't know. Wow. Yeah. It's definitely fourth wing for me, but I feel like most people I talk to like Akatar more. It's really, it is really, really good. And then people are like, you'll love Throne of Glass even more. So I'm excited to keep reading. I actually downloaded Goodreads. And when I get a little, when I get a little time this weekend, I'm going to make my account. I'm so excited to be friends with you in Goodreads. I don't read very like regularly,

though. I go through binges. You might be back in it now, though. Okay. This feels like a current era for you. Okay, cool. Without further ado, yeah. Let's dive in. This episode is presented by State Farm. After five years of this podcast, we can say one thing for certain.

A smart move can change everything. Going from cheesy TV roles to brooding blockbuster main characters, smart move. Another smart move? Getting help from one of State Farm's 19,000 local agents when you choose to bundle home and auto. Bundling. Just another way to save with the personal price. Plan. Like a good neighbor, state farm is there. Price are based on ratings plans that vary by state. Coverage options are selected by the customer. Availability, amount of discounts and savings,

and eligibility vary by state. Okay. This first one. It's coming from R-slash male living space. Okay. It is a place dedicated to the places where men live. Mm-hmm. Just in like, in like a visual sense? Yeah. Like the types of, spaces they like to live in? Yeah, like this top post is really cool. 27 male sucks at taking photos living alone with dog. And then they share like a picture of their living room just to be like, oh, it's nice. This is my my space. And I'm like, this is very nice fur boy. Oh, so this is like this is a nice, this is a nice sub in my opinion. Well, you'll see when you, when you see the post that I found. Living spaces. Can I do that? Sorry. Yeah, that was a great jingle. They should hire you.

So this is titled, This is My Cheetah Room. I recently had an annoying roommate situation end, so I now live alone and have an empty room. I've decided to keep the room empty with a single cheetah painting and refer to it as my Cheetah room. I really enjoy hosting, and I plan to make weird rules around this room, like only one person allowed in at a time, no talking in the Cheetah room, no cell phones in the Cheetah room, etc. I would love suggestions for rules or other fun bits to do with an extra room once this stops being funny to me. Also, yes, I'm planning to get a carpet cleaner in there this weekend. That is from the aforementioned roommate situation. And then they share a picture of their cheetah room.

Wait, I love this. I love this. I really find this beautiful. I laughed so hard when I saw this. I think it's hilarious. I think it's inspired. Describe the room for people. So it's really just four walls, one sort of grandmotherly single person chair in the middle, and then a single photo of a cheetah on the wall. And the chair is, you know, directly facing it as if it's a TV. In the center of the room, too. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But no other furniture, just like a, like a wing back chair.

And I can't stress enough, like this is a very small room. Yeah. It's giving... Like, I don't know how a bed ever feels. fit in there. It's giving like 8 by 10. This is sort of what it was always meant to be. A cheetah room. A cheetah room. This is, this is whimsical. I will say, like, I think it's beautiful that they're able to do that. It's shocking to me because if an extra room opened up in my home, like, that would immediately be put to work. You know what I mean? Same. It'd be my next closet. I couldn't really, if we have, we do have a room in my house called Scary Room. I'm sorry? It's sort of like just the place we put stuff.

Okay. And we don't really worry about it. Oh. And it's like, ah. We'll get to it when we get to it. I've got a clean. Let's put all this stuff in scary room. Yeah.

I wish I had one of those. So you do have an extra room. Yes. You just put it to work in a different way. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's, I mean, it's full to the brim. So. That's wild.

I would love a scary room. Good luck waiting through that room. Mm-mm. It's almost like you're reminding me of the, um, in the Weaver's room in Akatar with all your little treasures. Whoa. Everything.

I'm like, she's an Akitar Pilled. I've read the first two now in like four days. So I'm like, I'm deep in it. And then I stayed up till 5 a.m. last night reading. Oh, that's why you stayed up so late. Well, I was also waiting for the episode to upload.

But I was like, oh, I might as well read. I was worried. I was like, oh my God, she can't sleep until 5 a.m. Oh, no. You're up in the time of your life. Don't worry about her. She's exactly where she wants to be. I literally started going cross-eyed.

I'm like, I got to go to bed. Didn't shower. It was like, I got to go to bed. So are people happy about this? Yeah. I'm like trying to understand the vibe of this subreddit page. Has it made an appearance on this spot before? I found it on my homepage and then I saw it. I just started giggling. So the top comment, say thank you to the Cheetahs when you're done in the Cheetah room. Right. Oh, the rules. Rule ideas. Yeah. So people are contributing a lot of rules. A really tiny museum style roped off area right in front of it. Oh, that, yeah, that'd be amazing. With a framed copy of the the rules on the wall outside the room. Maybe a red carpet. Ooh. Yeah. That goes well with Cheetah. Mm-hmm. That's true.

Someone says, no flash photography out of respect for all of the visitors. Well, obviously, no phones. Mm-hmm. That's already a rule. Mm-hmm. Thank you. Flash photography feels like more, I don't know, litigious. Like, it feels more formal.

Polaroids only. Yeah. Yeah. Like, this is basically the Louvre, like, no flash photography. Mm-hmm. Can't disturb the art. But okay, I just loved it. I love the little picture.

I'd also like it if they could add some kind of maybe like activity or ritual that only can happen in the Cheetah Room. Ooh. Like, I don't know, when they do their fantasy football draft, it has to happen in the Cheater Room. In the Cheater Room. You know, I feel like it could become a part of more than just being there with rules. Like, they could incorporate it into tradition. I like this a lot. Yeah, I don't know.

Cheater Room could, this could become a big hit. He could sell tickets to the Jita Room. Yes. Sell those tickets. Yes. Okay, moving on to this next one. This is coming from AIT-A-H. It is titled,

Am I the asshole for sucking on my partner's zip lock? I know. I work from home and I make my partner sandwiches to take for lunch. Now, when making turkey sandwiches or whatever, if there is air in the bag, any jostling can separate the ingredients. So your sandwich comes apart in the bag. I've learned a great technique to fix this when I was young, and I've been doing it forever now.

When sealing the Ziploc sandwich bag, I leave a little gap and I suck the air out before sealing it closed. It's basically vacuum sealing it, and it makes it much sturdier. Today, my partner walked in on me doing it and freaked out saying it's gross, that I'm getting my germs all over. but I'm literally sucking all the air out, not exhaling. No germs are being transferred. Am I the asshole for trying to make their lunch safer and less volatile? I kind of feel that this has been a great act of love. Such an act of service.

This labor of love that they're doing, wait, what's O.P.? Do we know? No mention of any gender. No mention of any gender. No. Whatever O.P. is doing, it's coming from their heart. I will say I'm on OB side, but I have slight contamination OCD myself. Okay.

And like I can't share like drinks with people, spoons, like food. I get just like spit in general. Yeah. I'm weird about. That was spit too. Yeah. She's like ice cream cones. She can't share with people.

Yeah. Like cereal or spoons. So I'm kind of getting maybe this person has that because I don't know how else. But aren't they making out? Yeah, but it's different. The thing is like I could make out with somebody and then if they were like, do you want a sip of my water, I'd be like, ugh. You know what I mean? It's like the fact that the cold, the spit has been put into the air and then now I have to, it freaks me out. Hearing the rationalization,

like, I'm trying to rationalize my way to get where you are. It's so fascinating. Interesting. It's not, it's not striking a chord with you. Okay, so someone like, someone takes a... Well, I think it's like when you visibly see a loogie. Like, if you could see it in the water, then I'm like... Someone takes like a spoonful of... ice cream and then they offer you that. And you see there is a jewel on the spoon. Yeah. And then they offer you that spoon. You and Lauren are like two pieces in a pod. It feels like that. It feels like that. You know? Wow. So, but I don't know. I don't know if the, their partner feels that way. Or is this just, is this just, maybe they just don't like them very much. Maybe.

Because I would have, I would have seen this as a great life. I've never thought of this. I've never heard about this. Yeah. I literally always struggle to like smush things as I try to like get the last bit of air out. So I'm like, this is, I'm going to try this. I'm going to do this. I'd laugh about it. I'd be like, this is so silly and funny that you've been doing this all this time. But I don't know. I'm curious if anyone else is like, yeah, that's disgusting. Well, the top comment says, I wouldn't find it gross if my partner did it, but I think yours is perfectly entitled to not want you to do it to their lunch as well. Also, do you truly believe there are no germs involved just because you aren't exhaling? And I was going to say, like, you're still putting your lips on it.

Yeah. No. There's some transfer. So fair. Obviously, if this person doesn't want them to do it anymore, it's very fair to say that and, you know, have that be respected. But it's surprising to me. I mean, I feel like people can have these, like, irrational little things, like boundaries. Like, this would probably be like, hey, please.

please don't suck the air out of my Ziploc, that would be like a boundary that this person could have. And it's like, there's like these little unsurious things in life where it's like, I'm going to respect your boundary. Even if I don't understand it. But it's like, that's just what you do. And their relationship will survive this. You would hope. I mean, a lot of people start to go a little goofy though. They're like fewer germs involved than sex. Totally. That was my first thought as well. It's like, okay, you are. But then that makes me a little hypocritical. So someone else says fewer germs involved than the actual making of the sandwich. True, true. Their hands are all over that sandwich when they're making it.

Spend man handled man. Yeah. Man handled. Or woman handled. I don't know. It's hard to say. It's all mysterious with the story. Oh, man. Okay. Let's get in to the thick of it. That was a nice little lighthearted warm up for us here. This one is coming from Am I the Asshole. It is only an hour old right now. Oh, wow.

I was like really, I'm like, I'm giving people fresh today. Fresh sandwiches. Fresh sealed. Mm-hmm. Yeah, that one, um, that one's only six hours old. Oh. Yeah. Yeah, Cheater room, seven hours old.

Look at me go. This is titled, Am I the Asshole, for sending my brother's fiance a video of him. hiding her ring. As my brother's wedding was in two months, last week my parents hosted a small engagement dinner, just family, a couple of friends, and nothing too fancy. While there, his fiance took off her ring in the kitchen because she was helping our mom wash dishes. She put it on a small plate near the sink, and 20 minutes later, the ring was gone. Panic set in, everyone looked under the table, in the trash, in the pipe. She was crying. Then, my brother said that I was the last one to touch the counter near the sink.

That was almost true. I'd been helping my mom clear away the glasses and had moved a couple of plates, but I hadn't seen the ring. I told him so. My brother replied that he wasn't accusing me, but if anyone had accidentally knocked it into the sink or trash, it would be better to say so now. After that, everyone started asking if I was sure that I hadn't seen a small plate. My mom asked if I might have accidentally thrown a napkin next to the ring.

No one called me a thief, but they made me the convenient scapegoat while my brother stood by playing the concerned fiancé. We checked everywhere, but no sign of the ring was found. Later, I remembered that my parents have a camera by the back door, and I asked my dad to send me the footage. video I got showed my brother walking into the kitchen, taking the ring from the plate, looking at it, putting it in his pocket, and then a couple of minutes later, coming out and saying the ring is gone. Oh my God. I called him.

He said that he wanted to teach his fiance a lesson so that she would be more careful. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I told him he had until morning to confess on his own and say sorry to me for a accusing me. He refused, asked me to delete the video, and didn't even say that he regretted doing so. In the morning, I sent the recording to his fiance. Nice. I don't know what argument they did have, but now he says I ruined his relationship because of a stupid check. Mom thinks I should have given him another chance, but from my perspective, he not only tricked his fiance and hid the ring, but also tried to make me feel guilty for his own game.

Am I the asshole? I'm on O.P.'s side 100%. I was open-minded. I was like, oh, maybe he took it because he wanted to get it customized or something and was like blaming it on his brother, but then was going to go to him later and be like, sorry, I had to make a real... I don't know. But then when it was just to teach her a lesson about being more careful,

she actually hasn't lost the ring. So clearly it's been fine. It's fine. Like, why are you acting so weird and manipulative to teach her a lesson? Why not just like, say, hey, babe, like, I see your ring is kind of exposed on this dish. What if it fell into the sink? Yeah. I'd appreciate it, you know, if you were a little bit more careful with it.

So we don't have to replace it and worry about it. That sounds really easy. Bam. Sounds like a really easy way to handle it. Healthy. This is. It's scary. So weird. Yeah. And then to like bring O.P. into it for no reason to be like, well, if anyone did it, it would have been you. I guess not accusing or anything. Right. Just saying it be better if, you know, we recognized it now. I guess that's something that a guilty person would do though, right? Like throw people off. Yeah. Try to give a different suspect because no one would have thought it was him anyway. But he's feeling guilty. So he's like, I have to put it on someone. else.

Such a weird behavior. I hope they did break up. I know. I hope so. I'm going to teach you a lesson about lying. I don't know. I want the fiancé to find this. Yes.

And like, I want their side. Top comment at this point, not the asshole. You just saved his fiance from years of manipulation, gaslighting, and grief. Yeah, because it's, you know, it sounds like a fairly normal feeling to be like, hey, it bothers me that you're not super careful with your ring. I've spent a lot of money on that. I'd really appreciate if you did this. And there's just so many more ways to go about saying that, especially like if you're engaged to this person and planning a life with them, like that's the communication you can expect on all of the rest of your life decisions. I know. No, thank you. I mean, a lot of people just go off in the

comments. He was trying to gaslight her. If this ends his relationship, he only has himself to blame. screw your brother, what an awful person, definitely not on you. Very obvious, not the asshole. And anyone that takes his side remind them he literally stole from her and then tried to blame it on you. Your brother's a complete jerk and incapable of self-reflection. Was he playing it back? Like, was he planning on giving the ring back and being like, we found it in the pipes? Like, what, yeah, what was the end game here?

Yeah. Yeah. Because he put it in his pocket. That's a really good point. When was this going to come about? Because it didn't even sound like there was a moment that the ring did appear. Yeah, no. It sounds like O.P. asked dad for the video. O.P. figured out, oh, yeah, my brother took it, said to brother, hey, I found this out. But, like, there's no mention of, like, oh, he gave the ring back.

Yeah. I wonder if there's any comments from O.P. yet. It is, like, still very fresh, so I'm not sure. But him, like, pretending that he went under the sink and went into the pipe and being like, babe, I found it. but don't ever do that again. Yeah. Playing the hero about it. And I think that's almost like just as scary as how manipulative he is trying to teach her a lesson where it's like you're being so deceptive and then trying to make someone think you are the hero.

You make her feel guilty. With a problem that you caused. Yeah. What is that? That almost sounds like Munchausen's. What? But no. Am I on to something?

I'm like, what is it? What is that? You literally create a problem in someone's life or you, you like tear them down, but then like come in and try to make them feel better. There has to be like a therapy, psychological term for that. There's something. That is such a thing. There's something here. I'm not seen. Colton from The Bachelor did that to Cassie.

He was like pretending to be her stalker and then like in person to be like, oh my God, like I'll keep you safe. Like, it's insane. I still can't believe he was on traitors. Yeah. Goofy. Someone says to O.P., your brother needs a reality check. I suppose I should have said he needs to hear she did nothing wrong by removing her ring before cleaning. O.P. responds, I hope he gets it. And at least apologizes to both of us.

Yeah, also like, if she didn't remove her ring during cleaning, that could also be dangerous. It could get knocked down the sink during cleaning just as easily. Or it could get tarnished. Is that a thing? I mean, I've had a ring. I put hand sanitizer on and it fell off my finger. Yeah. And I just, you just don't, it didn't feel it? Now imagine soap.

Soap. And then it goes down the drain. Yeah. It was safer in a dish like on the counter. Yeah. O.P. says that the fiancee is still shocked with the video. That's so conniving too. And it's also like you will live in a constant state of questioning things because the only time

you actually got the truth was when there was a secret camera. Yeah. He probably would have lied until them. I've experienced that in relationships where, like, I had to catch that, like, find the proof myself to have the truth about something. And then it's like, I have no way of ever believing I'll know the truth about things unless I go out of my way to like find it. Like I can never get that from you. And it's like there's no way you can build on that. I have a story we're going to go to next because it's kind of that vibe.

But last comment I kind of see here from OP. They just say it's really sad to see your relative become. such a person, which is more sad. People at such an age rarely change much, basically being like, if he's going to teach someone a lesson, like he's not really a good person and probably not going to change now. Yeah, I wonder if he's learning a lesson from this. It just feels like the kind of person who doesn't. But I don't know. Losing your fiance and having your family be like, wait, you're kind of insane. It has to be a moment in your life where you do some, in a reflection and if you don't, you are fully incapable of it.

So sounds like a good plan. I hope they figure it out. We're going to move on to this one from relationship advice because it kind of reminds me about that what you're bringing up about like having to do digging to find out if someone's lying or not. Yeah. And I feel like I've been faced with that where it's like you might have someone in your life and you like start to catch on and you're like, I think they're. But you feel so crazy until the day you're finally vindicated. You feel nuts. Oh, I haven't been crazy this whole time. No. And it's like it also is such a bad feeling when you start to realize your friend is lying to you and you're like, are they a pathological liar? Or am I just being weird? Like, am I being a bitch? Am I like

overthinking this? And you're just like, I've had that too. This is like, this is crazy. This is too much. It can't be such a coincidence after coincidence that people and me are catching them and lies. And you never pick up on it right away because people like aren't assuming that someone's lying to them. It does take a while to catch on to that type of person. And Yeah. Because you're just like, oh, they have a lot of cool stories. It started to get really bad when I would have lived those experiences with her. Yeah.

And then we'd be around other people and the way that the story got retold. Yeah. Everyone is. Embellishes. Embellishes or like forgets minor details or whatever. But like it would be like so drastically of like we were in the same room with this person. And then it would like the story would change to be like, no, we were talking, hanging out with this person and playing beer pong with them. And I'm like, we didn't even talk to her.

What? What? Yeah, that's scary. I'm like, okay. This episode is brought to you by skims. It used to really struggle with finding good underwear before I started wearing skims. They would bunch up. They'd get pilly.

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So shop bras and underwear at skims.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we say. you, select podcast in the survey, and be sure to select our show in the drop-down menu that follows. Thank you. So this one is coming from relationship advice. It's a couple days old now, titled, My Boyfriend, 24 Male, Lied to Me, 23 Female, about running a marathon.

I'm not entirely sure if I'm overreacting about this, but a few weeks ago, my boyfriend allegedly completed a full marathon in a very impressive time, sub four. Since we met six months ago, we have discussed this regularly. I've watched him train, helped him fundraise, and supported him emotionally up until the big day. On the day of, I was unable to watch him in person due to reasons out of my control. So instead, I asked him for his bib number so I would be able to track him online and my parents went there to support him in person. On the day, I logged on to track him to see how he was getting on about an hour into the race, only to discover that his name, had not been registered. Initially, I thought that this was because he was potentially registered under the name of the charity he was running for, and instead, I decided to track him via his Find My iPhone. As he went through, I continued to send screenshots to my parents of his location, so they would know roughly when to expect him. I continued to check every half an hour, and eventually noticed that about two-thirds of the way into the route, he had stopped at the headquarters of the charity that he was

running for. His location remained there for 45 minutes. He then sent me a photo of him with a medal, claiming that he had just completed the marathon. I called my parents to say that he had finished and asked them if they had seen him cross the finish line, where they were standing, and they said no. At the same time, I messaged my boyfriend to ask if he had seen them, and he claimed that it had been so busy that he hadn't noticed and to just tell my mom and dad to go home. At this stage, I started to wonder if potentially he had pulled out of the marathon halfway through and didn't want to talk about it just yet. After some further investigation, I now know that he did not run the full marathon. Instead, he ran with a five-person relay group who each did a fifth of the

route. I have not confronted him about this yet, but I have been really distressed by how Blanton of a lie this is. He continues to claim that he completed the full 26.2 miles, and I keep thinking back to how he lied to my parents and friends' faces, most of whom donated towards him running a marathon. This isn't the first time he has lied to me. Typically, they have been small white lies about insignificant things, but this feels huge. It's been weeks, and I still haven't yet brought up the fact that I know he lied, mainly because I know he will likely just double down. I can't help but wonder if he is lying about this, what else could be going on? I feel utterly betrayed and I don't know how to deal with this situation. Is it worth continuing a relationship

with someone who can clearly lie so easily? This is such a weird thing to lie about. When you were initially saying this, I was like, oh, okay, so was he lying about, you know, doing a and training and running because he's having an affair and that's like an excuse of where he's been all this time. All the training. Yeah. But she has his location and he actually did do a part of the marathon. He's just lying about doing the whole thing? Like for what reason? It's so... Ego? I guess. But like, what's kind of weird? And also he knows she has his location. He knows that she asked for his bib number to track him, I think knew that her parents were going to be there too. So like with all of those factors, he still lied.

Like that's another situation where if you're willing to lie under these circumstances, then I cannot imagine the things that you would do if you could get away with more. Because there were so many reasons to be worried about getting caught. I'm like maybe it's an ego thing, maybe O.P. misunderstood, but I'm like, I don't think they misunderstood when he's still then claiming to be like, no, I ran the full 26 miles. No, it's the doubling down. It's saying, I ran the whole way. The whole thing. It's like, you didn't and that's okay. It's fine. It also would have been

fine if you just got tired halfway through. It still would have been impressive. You could have ran a mile and I'd be impressed. I like, absolutely. Running in me. I'm like, I wish I could run. I don't run at all. It's not on the cards for me. I can do a lot of things. Running, I don't think, is one of them. I'm going to try to, like, I want to have a goal to, like, just run down my street without stopping.

Like, as of right now, I can only get one block and then I have to walk. Let's do this together. This would be a great little activity. I just want to just, like, I know it's, like, point four. Down my street, it's point four. And I'm like, I think that for the safety, if I ever encounter a bear, would be a good thing to have under my belt. For me, it's just more the action of running. It just feels too jostling to me. Oh, my boobs? I need double sports bras.

I don't need that. They're strapped. They're strapped down. Yeah, this is crazy. I... The jostling. Yes. It's just my whole body. Like, I don't know. Yeah, I don't understand it. I understand also why this would be a weird situation to be in as a partner because it's like, technically he's not lying about something that's so consequential to your relationship or like it's not hiding this

terrible awful thing he did it's just this weird i almost feel like he just needs to go to therapy for for lying insecurity yeah that's a thing it's like why like again if we get down to the why to what end exactly and i think op even saying like i'm just kind of sketched out because i've noticed a lot of other white lies about insignificant things. And I do think it's interesting when people will lie so much about insignificant things. And it's like, why? I feel like I, it just sikes me out. I used to struggle with arguing about inconsequential things and feeling the need to be right and like prove that I was right. And this feels kind of similar in a way where I had to eventually realize the other person doesn't care that I proved myself right. No one is impressed by this.

Like I'm not, but seriously. Like, and it feels like the lying too where you have to get to a point in life where you realize like, I don't know what I'm doing this for because it is some kind of ego thing, but it's not real. Like this isn't actually making people think better of you. Do you feel like though, because I really relate to that, but I think for me, I do it because it's like almost like a, it depends on what it is, but it's almost like this defensiveness of like, I don't know, I'm just like I'm trying and like almost like the people pleaser side of it where you just like want people to like understand your rationale behind things. I think that can sometimes be it, but I think what I was doing previously was a little bit more ego driven. Okay.

To be honest. See for me, I'm just like, I'm not, I'm not trying to be mean. I'm like, oh, just like over explaining yourself. Over explaining. Yeah. that too for sure. I'm just like, ugh. But I don't know. I think that this is a quality that would be very difficult to have in a long-term partner. I do think if he could work out why he does this, there's like the potential for things to be okay. But if this is a pattern, yeah, if you lie about

something like this, why would I have any reason to believe you're not lying about the big things? Exactly. And that's kind of what the top comment starts picking up on. Yeah. Top comment. With almost 3K up votes, this is an extremely bizarre thing to lie about, in my opinion. And if, by your own admission, you've caught him in other white lies before, this makes me wonder what lies you haven't caught. Yeah, exactly. I'm really concerned about the fact that you mentioned people donated money towards his marathon for him. He's way too comfortable lying and taking from people in his life, confront him, and leave him before he lies about something significantly worse. Yeah, and it's just so important to have trust and to feel like, oh, if I go to my partner about a thing, I can believe what they tell me. And if you can't feel that way, that's terrible. I know, O.P. does comment back to someone who was also concerned about the money and was like, you need to get the money back from people. Is it for a charity, though? And so O.P. does confirm.

Yeah. I can confirm that the money raised definitely did go to the charity. And it seems like a lot of his family who donated the majority did understand. that he was only running a relay. My main guess is that he lied to make himself seem better. I'm not sure if that at some stage he was meant to run the full marathon and then dropped down to the relay closer to the time and then lied out of insecurity. No, and you know, I can't run at all.

So this is coming, or did I say lie or run? I don't know. I can't run at all. So this is coming from like not a fair place. Yeah. But going from one person to fully five people is. so funny to me. Like you couldn't have even done like a two person like a half zies. Yeah. Because what is that? It's five point three miles. And he's doing other other marathons, right?

Like he was doing, he did it under four minute mile or something like that. No, so sub four is like, you run the whole marathon under four hours. Like a lot of people have crazy goals of like a sub three. So you literally like your pace like to do a sub three, it's like, I don't know, what is that, like seven-minute miles? And see, I actually can, in my mind, picture the type of person who would do a relay and then be like, yep, and that was a sub-four that I did. And it's like, of course, because you only did a fifth one. I know. And I'm like, that is cool, but, like, also you had five people, so you're all kind of fresh and only running five, not the full.

Yeah. And, yeah, so, like, a sub-three marathon, which is, like, a big goal for a lot of people, you have to run basically six minutes and 50 minutes. 52 seconds per mile. Do you remember running the mile in high school? So the issue is that I have no concept of how long a mile should take. I mean, people walk a mile, I think, in like 18 minutes. Oh, okay. I could run a mile. On average, it takes 15 to 22 minutes to walk a mile. I could run a mile. I just wouldn't enjoy it. I wouldn't enjoy the experience. You think you could run nonstop? For a mile. I don't think I could run nonstop. You know what? Let me, let me, let me, Let me visit with a treadmill.

Do you want to try? Let me visit with a treadmill. Maybe you should just go to a track. Four laps. Give it a go. Oh, I remember that that was miserable. Yeah. I have no interest in doing that.

That's literally what, like, I remember running the mile in high school. Running the circles, no. And at my fucking physical peak, that shit took me so long. I was always a walker. It was a burn in your lungs. I'm good at sprints. I actually, I was good at sprints at the time. I used to.

I used to be, too. And then I tried racing my like seven-year-old nephew in the Mall of America the other day. Oh no. Fucking beat me. Oh, no. I'm like, what the fuck? And I'm like, I didn't, I wasn't properly packed down, you know, so it's a little hard. Yeah.

Yeah. But I'm like, still. I'm like, I'm out of, I got a, well, only seven years. He's got a lot to run for. He's got a lot to live for. I know. So he's a lot of little kid. That's, no, I can't.

He's got dreams ahead. He's chasing him. I just can't. I, once you put it in the perspective of doing the laps in high school, I was like, Never mind. Take that back. But I do want to just run down my street. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Weird thing to lie about, again, a lot of people very concerned about the money. O.P. is like, no, like, it did go to charity. That's the only thing he didn't lie about. Apparently, it's not uncommon where O.P. is from that marathons will allow for relay teams to run to raise money for charities. This involves official stops where you pass a baton onto the next member for the relay. You run amongst the other runners, but just take a different turn at the end of your leg. I wasn't paying attention to his location for the first hour, as I knew it would likely take him a few hours to finish.

When I checked for the first time, he was only beginning his run. Plus, I didn't know the official route. And again, all of that is fine. It's just weird to double down and be like, no, I did the entire full thing. I think people are kind of confused, like, why haven't you talked with him about this? And so O.P. does reply to that person that asked that. I guess fear that I'm wrong. As far as I'm aware, I'm the only person who has picked up on the fact that he didn't do the full marathon. I do believe that he did not do the full marathon that day, but he is unbelievably convincing, and I'm concerned about how he will react. I've also been abroad since a week before the run, so we haven't spoken in person. I thought O.P. said that his family knows that he did the relay.

I know, but like maybe on her side or like friends. It does. I could understand this being a situation where when she's, she does bring it up. She's just met with such severe gaslighting about it that it doesn't feel worth it. But then you're six months in. Don't be with this goofball. Oh, she's only six months in? Six months in. Oh, easy out. Six months. Really easy out here. Since we met six months ago. Met six months ago. Oh my God. Girl, run. Talk about running. Run. Get those little new balance shoes on and run. I would run the high school mile for that. I'll tell you. you. That's the one time I would to get away from this guy. That's so funny because earlier I was like,

you know what, they can maybe get past this. No, there's no need. I don't think there is. There's no need to. Pack it up. Pack it up and go. Okay, on to our next one here. This next story is brought to you guys by State Farm. How does that saying go by failing to prepare? You are preparing to fail? That's one saying I'm not going to botch and something we should all take very seriously. Because when you take the time to prepare for moments that matter, like talking to a state farm agent, you set yourself up for success. This next story, ROP, definitely could have prepared a little bit more for what happened. Buckle up, guys. It is seven days old. Okay. It is titled, Am I the asshole not putting up my daughter-in-law's painting in our new home and telling her

that I am not a fan of her art? Okay. My daughter-in-law has been married to my son for a few years, and she has a side gig of making art. She has a habit of giving paintings to friends and family as gifts. I think most people like them, but for me, I'm not a huge fan of her art style. I am much more of a nature person than someone that wants scenes with people. Also, when she paints, people, they are stylized. My husband and I bought a house, and we have fully moved in. my daughter-in-law gave me a painting of someone sitting at the beach because she knows we like the beach.

I don't like it. The woman in the painting looks off. Her legs are too long. She's too curvy. I know it is her style of painting, but I just don't like it. At the time I got the gift, I thanked her for it, and I thought that would be the end of it. I put the painting in the garage and kind of forgot about it. I bought an ocean painting for the living room. My daughter-in-law visited the other day because she wanted to pick up some of our old Fourth of July decorations. Our house is smaller, so we are purging decorations. We were in the garage, and she saw the painting there. She was surprised and asked why it wasn't in the house.

I told her, I didn't have a spot to put it. She kept pressing and mentioned that I got a new painting for the living room. I told her again that I don't have a spot for it. She then picked up the painting and said that she could help find a spot. I told her no. She asked why not, and I decided to be honest. I told her, I'm not a fan of her artwork. She got quiet after that, and I gave her the decorations. I got a call from my son, that he was mad. He told me I need to apologize and hang up her painting, that his wife has been crying, and it took her hours to make. I told him, I'm not hanging it up, and that resulted in an argument. I need some

opinions. I feel like it's my house. I can decorate it how I want. Am I the asshole? Wow. I, I'm very torn on this. I kind of feel like they're both assholes a little bit. Is that crazy? I have a really hot take. Maybe it's not a hot take. We don't want to hear it. So I really, really don't think you should gift people art. I don't think that's a hot take. I feel like Or I do think it's a hot take, but I don't think it's crazy. Yeah, I agree. I just feel like art is so personal and subjective. And you really have to love something to put it up on your wall.

So when someone gifts you ginormous pieces of art, it is like appreciated. Like you don't want to feel disingenuous and like you don't appreciate it because you do because it's nice that someone's thinking of you. Yeah. But then to be like forced to put something on your wall or find a place for it or store it because you can't donate or give away art that someone gave you. Yeah. You're kind of stuck with it. Yeah. And then you have the potential for issues like this.

Yeah. I, I, if I were the artist and I saw it in the garage, my feelings would be hurt for sure. And I think there's maybe a way that. it could have been said that would have been better, but also she was really pushing about it and kind of wouldn't just let it go. And I think in that kind of moment, you have to take the L a little bit and sort of realize what they're saying without forcing them to say it. Like, okay, I get the hint. This is in the garage. Like, you don't like it, but that's okay. It was a gift. And the meaning of a gift is it's something that I did for you and whether you like it or not, like, that's not your

responsibility. Like, my gift shouldn't be like a burden to somebody. I know. And that's the hard part about art. Yeah. I think if someone ask you for your art, that's a different story. If they're overly expressive, like, I love that. That's such a beautiful piece. Then it's probably going to be more received. Yeah. But a ginormous painting. Yeah. That's a tough one. because OP does have an edit. It is 26 by 36. So 2 feet by 3 feet, which probably took a lot of effort too. But it's just, yeah, it's one thing if someone you know their favorite artist and you, it matches other things in their collection and whatever.

And then it can be like such a personal, special gift to give somebody. Or if it's a small print. Yeah. If it's a 12. Which I've done that before. Yeah. That's manageable. That's, you know, whatever.

Could she have maybe put it up in like a guest room if they have a guest room? Probably. So O.P. does add in the edit, we downgraded our house. There is no place to put it that I won't see it every day. Yeah. We have one bathroom, two bedrooms, one that is my office, the living room and a kitchen. The basement is my husband's workshop. He doesn't like it either.

I seriously dislike how she does portions. I don't like that the waists are tiny and the butts and boobs are huge. Not my type of artwork. I don't like it. I don't wish to decorate my home with art. I don't like, and I have to see it every day. If I gave her artwork, I wouldn't expect her to hang it up in her house if she didn't like it, even if I spent months on it because it is not my house. Yeah, what would you do in this situation?

I'm in this situation. Really? Oh, yeah. So what are you doing? Are you keeping it a secret? I don't know what to do. You switch it out whenever they visit, like. That is in the guest room up against a wall. wall currently, I'm in this. And this is a delicate thing. I don't know. Would I ever tell that person that I don't like their artwork? No. No. I don't have the goal. If they are the ones who painted it especially. Yeah. I don't think you're the asshole for not putting it up. No.

I definitely think you could have maybe placated her a bit more nicely. Like we just moved in. I'll find a spot eventually. Let time pass. Let it sit in your garage. If it can continues to be an issue. Talk to your son. Pull them aside. Yeah. I think if I were in the situation, I don't know. It's hard because I would probably have a little bit more just innate fondness for art that my daughter-in-law created for me. Like it would maybe surpass the, oh, I don't know if this goes in this room for me. But I also don't think that that's a necessary way to feel about it. And I I think that the daughter-in-law was very forceful about how she responded. Weird.

That behavior is weird. Quit pushing. Again, I do get seeing it in the garage and being, like, disappointed and sad and a little hurt by that. Of course. I think that that's a very normal reaction to have to it. I just think that you have to kind of have an awareness. If you make something for someone, like, I'm taking a risk here. I hope that they like it.

I'm doing this because I want them to be happy. and if having this isn't going to make them happy, then they shouldn't use it. Because then why am I getting them something? Then it's for me and not for them. Yeah. Top comment, not the asshole. When you give someone a gift of artwork that you made yourself

and you don't see your artwork hanging up, that should be enough of a clue. There isn't really a polite way to tell someone. Thank you for giving this to me, but I'd really rather you keep it because there's no way I'm ever going to hang it up in my house. She found it in the garage. You told her you to not have a place for it.

it and that should have been sufficient for her to get the hint. Continuing to insist that she herself was going to help find a place to hang it was rude and invasive. Why are we not okay with mother-in-laws telling daughter-in-laws how to decorate? But suddenly, we're okay with daughter-in-law deciding how the mother-in-law should decorate? If this person is old enough to be married, she is old enough to have the maturity to recognize that not everyone on the planet is going to enjoy her work. mother-in-law wasn't rude in the least, but as soon as daughter-in-law tried overruling her and insisted on finding a place to hang it,

daughter-in-law absolutely crossed a line. Yeah. 12-K up votes. It's also very understandable for someone to just not like your art style. I feel like that's something that artists understand and know. Like you could have a family member who's like, you know what, I'm not interested in podcasts. And you'd be like, all right.

Cool. You know what I mean? Like, you have to... Hearing my own voice is annoying to sometimes. I don't love editing. I think a lot of people who create something know like, oh, this isn't for everyone, but that doesn't mean that it's completely devalued to them that I do it.

Especially with art. It's in the eye of the beholder. Yeah. Yeah, we don't have any other updates yet from O.P. O.P. even says, like, it doesn't matter if my son painted like this. I wouldn't put it up. Actually, I would have a conversation about why he is drawing women. like this. Why are you painting women like Jessica Rabbit? And I get it's a style. Whatever.

Like, you don't have to be hyper-realist, you know, but O.P. does keep saying that Jessica Rabbit is the perfect example of how she paints people. So she makes them curvy. Yeah. I think, I think O.P. could reach out and apologize for the fact that she had to, like, see it in the garage and just be like, again, there really isn't a place we just downsized. It's not the style of what we have in the house. It doesn't blend with what we have. It doesn't mean that I don't think you're very talented. I appreciate your talents as an artist. Yeah. I just, you know, it's not my style. Yeah. It's not that I hate your art. It's just not my style, but I think you have talent. Yeah. Amazing job. I love seeing it in your home. Yeah. It's just not our vibe. Can't wait to support you

at a gallery opening. Yes. O.P. does add that she's 29. She doesn't need baby gloves. I wasn't even mean. I literally just said, quote, I'm not a fan of the artwork. Yeah. But I think it's the umbrella statement of it all that like

kind of is like, but are your feelings valid? If you want to say that, are you entitled? Yeah, but again, like, I am in the boat of more flies with honey than vinegar. Yeah. And like I think people just overall, like, kind of realize how you're talking to people?

Mm-hmm. People need to do that a little bit more. Yeah. I don't like your art style is a little harsh. Very clearly, the moment that mattered most is O.P., getting into this new house of theirs and picking art that mattered to them. But if they would have prepared a little bit more about how to have a conversation with their daughter-in-law about the art, or maybe just hid it better, all of this could have potentially been avoided?

I don't know. What do you guys think? Obviously, big life moments can come with a lot of change, but when you take the time to prepare, like talking with a State Farm agent, you can set yourself up for whatever may come next. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Thanks, State Farm. This is coming from Am I the Asshole. It is titled, Am I the Asshole for Not Supporting My Husband, Quitting His Business to Become a Doctor. Oh, God, that's a long journey. As someone with a brother, who is a doctor, you're a great guest for this. Thank you, yes. I have a relative who's... My husband, 28 male, and I, 27 female, have two young children, two and one.

Recently, his father was diagnosed with cancer, and it's been incredibly hard on him. Not long after, his mom had to have stents placed in her heart. In the past three weeks alone, he's taken them to the ER at least five. times. It's been a lot, and I truly do understand how overwhelming and emotional that is. I've tried to be as supportive as I can, stepping up with the kids and continuing to work full time to keep things stable at home. About two weeks ago, everything kind of blew up. He told me he wants to dissolve his real estate business and go back to school to become a doctor. His reasoning is that he wouldn't be able to run the business while also committing to school full-time.

The part that's really hard for me is that I've supported him building this business for the past four years. I worked full-time, raised our newborns and toddler, and held everything together at home while he was able to focus fully on growing the business. It wasn't easy, but now it's finally at a point where it's successful and can comfortably support our family. And now he was wants to walk away from all of that? I completely understand where this is coming from emotionally. Watching your parents go through serious health issues can change your perspective on everything. But at the same time, this decision doesn't just affect him. It affects me and our kids, too. Going back to school to become a doctor is a long, demanding, and expensive path. And his plan is

to fully step away from the business while I continue working full time, taking care of the house, and raising our children. When I pushed back, things escalated. I told him I felt like he was being selfish and not thinking about how this would impact our family. Since then, he's basically shut down. He hasn't been speaking to me for the past two weeks. He stopped by this weekend to spend some time with the kids,

but he's been staying at his parents' house in the meantime. I feel really torn. I want to support him, especially given everything he's going through with his family, but I also feel overwhelmed, hurt, and honestly, a little abandoned. It feels like I'm being asked to carry everything again, just when things were finally becoming stable. Am I the asshole for not supporting my husband's goals? Yeah, this is a tough one because you always want to support people's dreams and, you know, believe in them and not be the one who's saying you can.

can't do that, but it is a selfish thing to want to do. Like, it'll take 10 years before you can even start making money with this. And not only that, but you'll be pouring crazy amounts of money into it. And you can't make any money in that time because it is so demanding. And like, it also just feels like there hasn't been that much time and thought put into this decision. This does feel a little bit quick. Like they've been going through this. They're still in the midst of these health issues. And it's very soon to say, okay, we're going to drop everything now completely upend our family's stability. I've made this decision and it's final.

It just feels very fast. Like no conversation? Yeah. No, like, what do you think of this? I'm very like, obviously in an emotionally intense situation with my parents. I'm kind of feeling like things are really out of control. And I'm seeing what they're going through in the health care. system and it's like it's really upsetting. I want to make a difference. Like yeah. No conversation. It's

just I want to quit to become a doctor. Yeah. And it's like and it all sounds very lovely, but that's just not reality. No. And there's some comments from OP that we're going to get into that like also makes it even more confusing to where I'm like, I get where he's coming from. But like even up until this point, he hasn't even been a good partner. Yeah. You have a two year old and a one year old. And your wife has been supporting you for the past four years, basically for a different dream, for a different dream, basically letting you off the hook in terms of child care, home care. Yeah. Like she's been the breadwinner. Yeah.

Where are you contributing to this partnership? And now after take, take, take, take, take, take, you're saying, oh, I'm going to just like totally upend our lives. Yeah. Quit this business that you've sacrificed so much for. Throw it away and chase this potentially other dream that's seemingly kind of developed over. overnight. Yeah. Like, where's the give? Where's the balance? Which might not even work out. He could even like go through, I don't know, undergrad again if he has to and then not get accepted into medical school. He could then go into medical school and not get accepted into like a fellowship.

But there are so many people are like not matching. Yeah, they could sink. It's a risk. So much money and time into this. Not to mention like also a business that's doing well. And it's sad because I even hate saying this because I even hate saying this. Because I I feel like it could be taken the wrong way, but there is a point in a partnership, especially with children, where you can't just keep chasing new dreams. You do eventually have to. And sometimes, by the way, like, work isn't a dream. Sometimes work is just a thing that you have to do. And I think it's beautiful to be like, yeah, work should be the thing that you love the most.

But that doesn't always happen. And that's okay. That's totally fine. It doesn't happen that way. I think like a majority of people, I think there's like maybe a split. I'd be curious. Maybe that would be a good poll for this episode of like, do you love your job or do you just like work to live?

And you're just kind of like, I like going to work and punching out. Like I'm good. And I feel like that's why a lot of people sometimes feel like they've failed because they think that they should love their job and like be doing something that's just always has been their dream come true and is so incredible when that's just, you know, it's okay if work is just a thing that you have to do for money. I completely agree. It shouldn't suck your soul away if you can help it, but I don't know.

I think this is tough. And also, he doesn't even know if being a doctor would be his dream. He hasn't spent enough time even thinking about it to know that he's certainly no time living in the actual reality of it. So it just, it's just too much. Yeah, it sounds like, you know, it's been maybe a couple of months. If they had like a million dollars stored away and, you know. Trust fun to live off of go chase your dreams.

Do whatever. Yeah, that's fine. I know. It's really intense. But I do agree with your point to, like, when you made the choice to have kids, like, you now also have another responsibility. Yeah. And your life, when you have kids, like, isn't just your own anymore. As weird as that is, like, you're not just game. You're scrambling your own life when you make that decision. There's a lot on the line here. And I understand where he's coming from, but it's... I know it sounds very noble.

I know. I understand that his reasons aren't, you know, coming from this horrible, selfish place. But it's a tough one. I'm like, it's only 27 and, like, people go back to school at all ages. But this is a big one. And so let's get into the comments. Yeah. So the top comment, he can take MCATs and any prerequisite science classes before applying for medical school.

It isn't even easy to be accepted to medical school. Tell him he can continue to work in real estate while studying for and taking MCATs and see where that gets him. Yeah. And someone else is like, this is a very practical answer. That may also give him time to identify a solution for the business. Could he hire a manager to take care of a day to day? Could he sell the business? I wonder if he even gets into the reality of studying for the MCAT if that alone will be enough to be like, oh, maybe never mind.

I also wonder if there's a different compromise of working towards something in the health care system that isn't a 10-year becoming a doctor type thing. I think that would probably be like a really great compromise for your family, like if this continues to be a dream for him. Start a nonprofit. I mean, yeah, there's so many options. I, when I was a medical scribe, I had this one doctor, Dr. Dyer. And he talked to me and he was just like, what do you want to do with this? Because like, as you are a medical scribe, you're doing it for hours to apply for med school, PA school, some sort of other program. You're not just a scribe. And so I was like, you know, I'm not really sure. I don't know, maybe med school, maybe PA school. Maybe PA school. Maybe PA school. Maybe PA school. Maybe PA school. It's a great work life balance. And then. He's like the golden age of being an MD is a little behind us. PA school, less debt, less time, you're in a great position. It's a great work-life balance. And the doctor was telling me this. Yeah. Now granted, this could have changed since back in,

God, 2014 when I was doing this 12 years ago, you know? Yeah. But I know, you know, even financial aid programs have changed in this country a lot recently. And now college debt impacts your credit score, which can impact you from buying a home or getting a loan. It's just like, it's so messed up. Like, I literally was posting on my story the other day of like, how do you consolidate student loans? Which also isn't necessarily a good idea, because if you then go private with them, then if there is any program that comes up down the road, they're not eligible. They're not eligible. Yeah. So it's just like we're all in this rock and a hard place because of this. And so with education becoming even more expensive, he's looking at 500K.

Yeah, they're looking at now taking out loans when they finally got to a place where they were getting money in and supporting their family. Yeah. It's just. It's a lot. So I agree. I think like an associates program, like I think nursing is an amazing, amazing career. And you can also grow so much within it. You can become like an injector and work at a plastic surgery clinic.

You can go further and become a nurse practitioner. Like the best provider that I encountered during my first provider that I encountered during my. my emergency ER hospitalization stay was literally the nurse practitioner. Yeah, they're intelligent. People on the day to day. Oh, if that's really his, you know, inspiration. Yeah. Absolutely.

And that's like an easier route and also, I don't know, I feel like you're just more hands-on in that route too. Yeah. So people start commenting. Is his undergraduate degree in one of the health sciences? Has he ever shown an inclination towards med school in the past? Does he have a pattern of jumping impulsively? from one thing to another. How does he plan to pay for med school? O.P. responds. He doesn't have a degree. He said he was enrolled in college for a few semesters,

but it sounds like it was mostly gen eds, and he didn't get very far. He's also mentioned he failed quite a few classes, so I don't think he ended up with many credits either. Oh, this, I don't know if this stream is even possible. He would be going back to undergraduate. And again, I know I already said this, but even in, if he graduates and does well in the MCAT, it's still very, very hard just to get into medical school. So it just, it feels like something a child would be saying, not someone with children.

Yeah. Sorry, that might be mean. Hot take for the day. I like it. Sorry. Hot take for the day. I like it. I mean, someone I worked with as a medical scribe,

he actually did go to school in Ireland or like Scotland or somewhere abroad. because he couldn't get in here in the States. Yeah. And the acceptance rate is under half. 44.5. Yeah. Which, by the way, like, I'm not trying to say that you can't start any new career at 27 or 28. Like, that is not at all the point I'm trying to make.

I'm saying is, like, this being a decision for an entire family that's relying on you? It's unrealistic. It's just unfair. Yeah. Like, yeah, you could probably do it. If he was single. Yes.

Ever floats your boat, buddy. You want to like live with your parents. If they were dating. Go to school. Girlfriend, boyfriend, dating. Sure. If like Justin woke up tomorrow and was like, I want to start over and become a doctor,

I'd be like, what? Also, then you're going to have to move multiple times for where he does undergrad and then where he does medical school and then residency. and then fellowship, like, every, you're going to have to move every time. Yeah, someone else says, if he went through with it, I'd ask for a legal divorce.

Not because you don't love him, but because of the student loans and debt that he, slash you would have tied to as his spouse. If he dropped out or changed his mind about being a doctor in a couple of years, he'd be screwed financially. And OP says, this is honestly another huge fear of mine. I worked really hard to dig us out of debt. Between our credit cards, auto loan, and I just, finally paid off my own student loans.

I worry that if he goes through with this and it doesn't work out, everything ends up falling back on me to fix again. Yeah, I mean, if he wants to, in his free time, start studying for the MCAT and maybe take an online class or two and see if he's still feeling that way, like, a year from now, I don't know, but this just feels so... I mean, that could be a good compromise of, like, hey, I'm not saying no, but you have four years of an undergrad ahead of you. So why don't you start with entry-level classes that you can do at night?

Yeah. Like you keep working because that's what's fair for our family. Yeah. And if this is a dream, then you're going to do what it takes to get that dream, which is sacrifice and night classes and maybe working a little harder. Mm-hmm. But the burden of everything in our life cannot fall on just me. Yeah. Otherwise, guess what?

Because that's what would happen. Yeah. And otherwise, like, I'm better off being single and co-parenting. Yeah. A lot of people are like, get your real estate license and take over the business. O.P. says, I've actually put a lot of thought into this. I work full time as a loan officer. So I do have background in real estate and understanding that side of things. What he does is more focused on property management and renovations. So there would definitely be a learning curve. But I do have a little bit of a grasp on it since I've helped out when I've had time.

At the same time, I genuinely love the career I've built and would hate to get. give that up. But I'd also hate to see a business we both sacrificed so much for just fall apart. So I'm really conflicted. Yeah, she's supported him before in this like swinging big, starting this really daunting thing, starting a business from scratch. Like it sounds like they both sacrificed a lot just to make this happen. And like to finally see that pay off and then be like actually never mind, it's too much. I would feel like a like the whiplash of it. Yeah. where we're like, whoa. And maybe with that comes a resentment because then you're like, what did I just put myself through all this for?

Yeah, and you're asking me to do it again. In a bigger, worse way. Yeah. Someone comments to O.P., what are your goals? What has he done to support them? What sacrifices has he made, if any? It seems a bit exploitative on his part, using you to achieve his life's personal endeavors and fulfillment. If you want to stay with him, ask him.

for a solid plan as to who will pay for his school, how he intends to support his family, and how he will be an equal contributor to the partnership. Yeah. And OPE goes, wow, this is definitely eye-opening. I've been so focused on making things work that I don't think I've ever really stepped back and looked at the bigger picture like this. Yeah, because that's such a good thing to add to this conversation. I don't know if he's had any consideration of like, is it fair?

to put all of this on her. He's just thinking, is she supporting my dreams? And it's like, what about her dreams? Like, what about what your family's dreams are? What about what they need? Like, what is there, can you picture a way of this looking where we can both be getting what we want out of this? Or is it just your way or nothing? It's feeling very me, me, me, me, me. Yeah. Not us, us, us, including kids. Yeah. And I've seen how much you value your dreams before. Like, I don't, sorry, I don't need to put that much into it. You threw the first one away real quick. I'm just confused. And I get, like, I don't know, some people wake up and quit their jobs and start sailing around the world. And I'm actually like a huge proponent of that. Like,

I think that that's a beautiful, amazing thing. I think I want to start a new career when I'm 40, probably. Like, I, there's tons of understandable things in this world. Something about this specifically to me, though, is exactly it. Is very, is very, like, no, this isn't right. I will literally give me another story and I will probably have a very different opinion. I'm like, I'm literally speaking to just this story right now. So like don't ever apply what I'm saying to anything else. Like, no, no, no, I'm like literally responding to just this story, this moment, how I feel.

There's nuance in the way that each person's situation comes across, I think. For sure. If someone's out there listening right now and they're like, oh, fuck, I was thinking about starting a new career, but I'm here in the way they're talking right now. and apparently that's a crazy thing to do. Like, no, that is not what we're saying. Ew. It's also not what we're saying.

No. I know. Take everything with a grain of salt. And it's like, I think these conversations are, and why even O.P. is here on Reddit, it's just like trying to gleam other opinions and just see things from a different side. But again, it's like, it's so context specific. Someone does ask, are his parents aware of his plans? If so, what are their thoughts?

And O.P. says, yes, they're aware and they support. it, which has really put me in an even tougher spot. Well, I feel like that's almost, there's like an emotional manipulation aspect to this where, of course, his parents supported because they're all like going through this health crisis together and they're probably like all experiencing the hardships together and crying together. And it's like, guys, I'm going to do this very noble thing and make a difference in the world. It's like easier for his parents to be on board with that than like the person who's going to

take the brunt of it in all of the housework and all of the financial burden. Someone else comments, not the asshole. Is anyone else reminded of Betty Broderick on this one? She supported her husband through first a medical degree and then a law degree while raising six kids or something. And at the end of it all, he left her for his secretary and screwed her out of the money she was entitled to. Oh, my God.

Yeah, that doesn't sound that crazy. That's horrible. O.P. responds, new fear unlocked. I think like a lot of people too do start saying, what about other careers? And O.P does say I actually suggested something similar. I told him maybe starting with something like a CNA license or eventually pursuing nursing. Could be more realistic and a way to get into health care and also give him hands-on experience, caring for his parents. Unfortunately, he was pretty set on becoming a doctor. It's just, it's so much work. It's going to take a lot more than like a month of deciding you want to be a doctor to actually feel motivated enough to get through all of that. It's very crazy to me that this is like, I don't know. Therapy. I think he needs to start some therapy ASAP, like something I've like really struggled with is like dealing with just mortality and like,

my parents getting older and like being so far away from home and like yeah kind of sounds like a midlife crisis almost and that's where I think he's at and I I do I even though it's not midlife but no but it's like when you're faced with like your parents like or a big life shock or yeah whatever and it's just like I understand where he's coming from and this inspiration and motivation behind it but again at the end of the day we have to kind of be on planet earth so I really think some therapy could help him Even honestly, if he just, like, wanted to get his undergrad degree and spend his free time doing that, even though that would be time consuming and cost money, I would support that. Like, I think it's just there needs to be more proof that this is something he's dedicated to and not just going to throw away the second it gets a little bit difficult. And there needs to be a plan of action where the stuff at home is still evenly distributed and the finances can be

evenly distributed. But like, yeah, if he wants to get a degree because he's feeling some type of way about that, like if that's a great first step. And if they can find the money in time for that, sure. That is one big thing to consider in this time. It's time away from your family and your children. That your parents and you're worried about your parents and the motivation is because of them, you will lose out on so much time with them, with your kids. I mean, there's a lot to think about here. So I really do think, especially if O.P. is like, wants to stand by him and kind of try to work through this right now, therapy. Yeah. Therapy. But okay, I'm ready for your story. Oh, I have a story. I'm ready for your story. I have a story. It's on my phone. I'm not being rude, guys. It's a story.

I feel like where you've been going, like, hi-lo. Hi, hello. Hi, low. Because I'm like, I feel like this one, I'm nervous, but I'm ready. I'm just excited. It's actually, it's a tough one, but it's just very unique. And the subject matter, I feel like, has come up multiple times throughout my life at pivotal stages. I know. No, no, no. I'm really excited to get into this. Okay, this is an R slash raised by narcissists, which I've never seen before. It's a crazy sub. And it's one day old. So I'm continuing your theme. Let's go, fresh.

The title is, my mom used lice to control my social life. Dude, I'm already feeling itchy. From the ages of around 8 to 15, I had lice off and on, but I think likely on the entire time. It was just never completely taken care of. My mom would never buy the shampoo, saying it was too expensive and never worked. She insisted on combing through my hair with a comb and individually picking out each louse with her hands. She wanted to keep my hair very long, so she refused to cut it and use that as an excuse for manually picking out the lice. Eventually, she graduated to using shower caps full of conditioner that I had to wear for at least two-hour intervals.

Obviously, I couldn't leave the living area during my lice quarantines. The conditioner worked to suffocate them sometimes, but I don't think it got all of them, as after a month or so, they'd be back. I was even instructed to sit at the table, hunched over a white piece of paper, and to scratch my scalp to let the bugs fall down, as well as knits, and to circle them on the paper, question mark, question mark, question mark. My mom also sprayed Pam cooking spray all over my scalp after finding out that Pam kills lice. My scalp burned so bad like all the bites from the lice were on fire. One time, we were going out to a drive-in theater, and my mom made me go out with the shower cap. She put a beanie on my head, but I still cried and cried in shame. She showed me my head with a big beanie covering the shower cap.

I assumed to show me it wasn't that bad, but what girl doesn't want to look cute when they go out? I felt so ugly and I looked silly. You couldn't tell if I was bald or not under the cap, and it was huge. It made me cry even more, which both my parents laughed at. Fuck them. I had lice for years, and at times I remember them crawling in my eyebrows all over my head. Oh no. As big as fingernails and so painful.

I had marks around my hairline that showed how bad it had been getting. My mom didn't fix it at its worst when I was 15 because she was ashamed of her boyfriend finding out I had lice. My dad ended up coming to the house even though they separated to finally fix my hair. He hadn't done it before because he was scared of her and she always said it was her job. I think she kept not finishing removing them because that way I couldn't stay at other people's houses. It was so bad. Child abuse, child abuse, child abuse, child abuse, child abuse.

Mm-hmm. I'm like so sad for OPE. From the ages of, I think, 8 to 15. I know, I was like, what's the seven years? Seven years. Seven years to deal with an itchy scalp with animals, little gremlin lice, biting your head. Yeah, there's like the physical pain. And then also, I think always being insecure about it, always going to school, probably

be being known as the lice kid. Going to school, not being allowed to have sleepovers. Like, obviously they weren't ever allowed to go sleep at other people's houses. And I think now they're trying to work through that and be like, was it really about the shampoo? Or did my my mom like having an excuse that I couldn't go places? It's 100% control. And again, like, I feel like Munchausens. Yeah. I think that's why that was on my mind earlier. I know. And it keeps coming up in like episodes for me. And I'm like, this feels like it where she's, purposefully keeping her sick because I'm sorry

Just use the shampoo afford lice shampoo Lice shampoo Lice shampoo $15 $17 $26 The shower caps All of the conditioner you're using

You're spending way more money Seven years worth No it's abuse Yeah It's literally what a freak I know I know And also that's like a very

It's a very unique method of control. Like no one, I feel like people would struggle to even take that seriously right off the bat. Like, oh, I think my mom is purposefully letting my lice stay. No, it's kind of one of those like things where it's almost that plausible deniability where it's like, oh, oops, I just didn't get them all. Oops, I couldn't afford the shampoo. Yeah.

And the dad, he's not off the hook either. Also abuse. You not stepping in? Oh, I'm scared of her. No, just that one sentence to be like, well, my dad didn't do anything because she said it was her job. Like, okay. You guys. Both of you.

Both of you. Step on a Lego. It's crazy. It's very sad. And I also like really related to the little thing about being a teenage girl and going to the movies and having to be in the shower cap and like just feeling embarrassed to be out. I mean, 15, you're like a freshman, sophomore in high school. Like, yeah. Boys are starting to look at you.

You might be interested in getting a boyfriend. You might have your first kiss. And you're being forced to go out with a mask. Also, the mom said, not only is it too expensive, but it doesn't work as the excuse. Like, what you're doing is work? Why not try it? Let's try it.

Let's just try it then. We spent seven years doing this. It doesn't work. Let's just try it once. Like, how do you know? Does O.P. Say how old they are now? I actually was just wondering that.

I wonder if they come back to it in the comments. They do have, like, responses on this thread. God, I'm so angry. The top comment is kind of shocking. It's someone saying, dude, I thought I was the only one. What? I had lice between the ages of 11 to 16. You got, no!

My mom expected me to take care of it myself, but I didn't know how and was never taught. But I didn't know it was abnormal or child neglect to be treated like this. So I internalized everything as if it was my fault and that I was disgusting. The constant paranoia of others finding out drove me crazy because the only person I had as a friend, eventually when I was 12, did find out and I couldn't see her again until it was taken care of. It didn't go away until eventually I was hospitalized in the mental hospital after threatening to kill my family after breaking down. And only then did the hospital staff finally take care of it.

I wish I told them I had it for years and that my mom refused to take care of it, like I'd wish They told the hospital staff. Yeah. I was also stuck living in my own filth, yet my mom knew to clean up my room upon CPS coming over, and I was too scared to say anything. Having lice that long, it's a unique experience. Even now, if I feel my head is itchy, I get paranoid. I still remember the sensation of crawling in my hair.

I remember scratching it raw. I remember how the lice looked when pulling them out. And then O.P. replied, I still get paranoid too. And the evil thing is, we were expected to magically rid ourselves of, literal parasites without access to medicine or help on the back of our head. What? There's a reason other kids would have it for a couple days and be rid of it. Yeah. Other kids in my class even went to the doctor and had it taken care of there. I just had to dot to dot scratch my head over a paper. And circle them? Yeah. For what? Yeah. That's like such psychological torture. Scratch your head.

And then when they fall out, circle them. It's crazy because there's actually a lot of comments of people kind of relating to this. Damn, if you are out there, if you are out there listening, I'm like, I know we have an audience under 18, which hi, you're kind of crazy for listening. But like, this is not okay. Yeah. If you live in an unsafe home, it's not okay. You are a kid. Like, you deserve to be taken care of and have basic access.

to medical stuff. And there's insurance programs in this country, from what I was working, at least, again, this country and everything's changing rapidly. Yeah. But there used to be child health insurance protection, and it was like chip. And anyone under 18, even if your parents couldn't afford it, you would have health care. Yeah. And it's like you could go in and get access to that. Like it's just like, but it's like these schools, these schools are also supposed to be mandated, reporters and it's like how do we even there was a comment about that to educate on such a niche little issue like do we need to go i know we have so many teachers out there and i know so many teachers are going to be like i've dealt with this please chime in in the comments i'm like if

anyone needs it i will buy you lice shampoo like please anyone out there listening like do not go through this well i can't imagine having this trauma for seven years and then being like this is something that everyone else that i know was able to solve and two days. I've, yeah, so this just came up on Patreon. We talked about lice on Patreon. Really? Yeah. That's why I was like when you, oh, I'm just so, I know, some of the, I know, some of those comments were like, and I can't imagine actually being traumatized by that and then, and then reading that because I was like, ugh. Yeah, no, I got lice in kindergarten. I think it was like a really common thing in northern Minnesota to get lice during the winter with kids mixing up hats and sharing hats, sharing brushes, whatever. So I got lice in

like kindergarten and my mom, I mean, everything, all of our stuffed animals went into a plastic bag for months. Everything got washed. We had lice shampoo. She picked it out with the comb. She made me sleep in mayo overnight, like a shower mask with mayo. She wasn't taking any chances. She did everything. And like I spent hours with my head down on the kitchen table. Oh my God. Picking out the And so like I have that experience of like truly like that is the level of care a parent should give their child. And to hear this, I'm like, I'm physically disturbed. It also another reason it feels purposeful and like a method of control is that for any other parent you'd think they wouldn't even want the headache of dealing with this for seven years. Lys spreads. Yeah. And like not having a home where you can

have people over and not be worried about lice and be picking them out of your child's head every night. Like this isn't a desirable situation. So like it's beyond just neglect and not caring because there was an involvement. You're watching your kid basically every day for seven years scratch their head. Yeah. Cry. Yeah. Be an emotional physical turmoil. Yeah. Sick. It's awful. It's awful. And that's, I think that's, she should be in jail. An interesting thing about this up. raised by narcissists. It's a crazy sub. Yeah.

Opie has 43 contributions, a month old account, but they've made some other posts as well. They had one in like R slash vent like a month ago, like 37 days ago, some other stuff. They replied to a lot of comments. I don't know how old they are now, but they have one comment 20 days ago about when they first went to college. So they are out of the house. Out of the house a little bit older. I would assume like 20s or something. They have a comment like when I was in college, I would venture share my experience growing up. So they've got yeah. Yeah. A little bit separation from there, which I can't imagine like the mental process you'd have to go through to come to terms with this

situation and like how you were living in that situation. But that's why I guess subs like that are so great to have. Oh, they're so important. so important for people to be able to like share and bond over this trauma they've gone through. I'm like the fact people were in the comments being like, I thought I was alone. I went through this. It's like I'm shocked. I'm genuinely like shocked. But like to have that camaraderie because it sounds like both of them are also dealing with like PTSD from this.

Yeah, absolutely. They're both like living with paranoia about any itchiness they experience. But it's also like, well, now you could get the shampoo at least if it happened again. If anyone is out there, create an Amazon wish list for your life's shampoo. And I will literally get it for you. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I'm sure for other situations, it is just neglect.

But this one does sound like a method of control and like a purposeful choice. I'm fucking shell shot. I know. That's scary. We were either going to do for this episode like a rare. situation or like worst person situation. I was like this works for both. It could be literally both. No, it could be both. Like another theme I'm working on is worst of the worst. And these are just stories that are, these people are such despicable creatures. Well, parent stuff hits so hard too. Like that's just.

Because it's so out of your control as a kid. Yeah. They're so vulnerable. You're vulnerable. You're at their mercy. Oh, man. Okay. Well, let's get into a goofy one. Shit. This is titled, My 20 female boyfriend, 30 male, pranked me by saving up his turds in the litter box. No.

This morning, my boyfriend did this fucked up prank on me, and I don't even want to come home. I moved in with him a few months ago because his roommate of a few years moved out. I've been wanting to move out of my parents' house since I graduated, and work a job where I can afford to pay the roommates rent. So yeah, my boyfriend is a total sweetheart, but sends me kind of mean prank TikToks sometimes, stuff I'm not really a fan of, but whatever. I warrant him if he ever did anything really mean-spirited

to me as a joke, I would just leave, because why would you treat someone you love like that? He has two cats and usually cleans the litter box every day. But he's been sick lately, so I've done the last couple of days. I hate cleaning the litter box, and I'm not a fan of his cats, but I love him, so of course, I'm going to do that for him, even if it makes me gag or whatever. He reminded me to clean it today as I was putting my scrubs on, and I told him I would after work, as I have been. But he said one of his cats had a really gnarly one, and he could smell it through his vapor rub on his chest when he passed the kitchen, and to pretty please bring him a bowl of cereal, L-O-L.

So, yeah, title. I went downstairs and I smell nothing, but I check inside the litter box. It's in a cubby with a hole cut out. And God, all caps. There's multiple huge turds in there. No. It's funny saying that now,

but it was fucking nasty. Is it funny saying that now? One poking right out, barely covered by the sand, and I can see more, like, kind of buried in there a little, and I start gagging like crazy and get up. I really, really already knew this did not come from a cat, but wanted to be wrong, and no. He asked me where his serial was and started laughing. I was still gagging and kind of tearing up, and I asked him, quote, what the fuck was that? Because I still wanted to believe it just came from our neighbor's dog or something.

But he told me laughing through tears that he has been collecting his own turds for like a week now just to prank me. Using what method? He really is sick, though, and he was trying to find an excuse for me to clean the litter box because he read about someone doing this prank before and thought I'd find it funny. But I thought he knew me better. Guess not. Anyways, I'm at work now on break, and I told him I'm moving back in with my parents. Thank God. I don't really have many problems with him besides the fact that I feel like I'm doing most of the housework sometimes. But this was just too much.

And I don't want to be bluffing by saying I would leave him if he did something mean-spirited. So that's what happened today. By the way, no, I did not clean it. He can clean up his own shit. He said, because I already work in an elderly care home, I should be used to it already. Now he's apologizing. No. Thank God she left.

that house. Absolutely not. Also, like, how could she ever be attracted to him again? I don't, I don't understand this. This is so disgusting. What is the humor? There's, there's no joke here. There's no originality. There's no, like, ooh, that was so clever what you did. I, he needs to marry, like, he needs to find another guy, maybe, I think. Like, I think that's the only person who would maybe find this funny, find another guy and that does prank videos and they could be roommates and like have a lovely time together maybe. I don't think any woman is going to like this. I understand everyone poops. I find some poop stories funny. Poop Knife, read a Hall of Fame. Okay, crazy. But if I saw that much of Justin's shit. And also you knew he collected it and put it there.

And where was he keeping it? How was he collecting this shit? Where was he storing this shit? It crossed my mind, but I was scared to pose the question. If I saw that, I would be so repulsed by him. Yes. It would be hard to come back from that. Yes, I don't want to touch him.

Like, and I get, hey, sometimes the toilet doesn't flush perfectly. Okay, I'm going to, whoop, flush. Whatever. Yeah, accents happen. Different thing. But the fact you went through this effort in these lengths? Nobody. No, sir. No, thank you. No thank you. Devil will be gone. That's just, you just wouldn't be able to look at them the same. And also, it's just weird to do to somebody. And I don't like the prank thing in general, but this has to be one of the grossest.

This is crazy. Yeah. This is crazy. And the age gap to 20, 30. He's 30. Oh my God. I will say I'm so, so, so impressed with the fact that she just stuck to her guns. Yeah, thank God. Especially as a 20 year old. As a 20 year old. Oh my God. How many excuses I made for people, younger dating them? Oh my God.

I'm so impressed. Even living with him long before he pulled this shit. I can't imagine. I know. A few months. And then he started no self-control. Get out, get out quick. Get out quick.

So top comment. Not only was he cruel to you. He was cruel to his pets. Yeah, that's true. I didn't even think about that. The cats. So I just went on Miles's podcast. Yes. It was so good. Shout out perfect person. It literally such a fun podcast. And we had a collar on it that said that their roommates were peeing in the cat's litter box. Oh, I saw that this was a thing. And now their apartment smells because the cats aren't going in the litter box. Yeah. And a bunch of people on the perfect person like YouTube, like in the comments, were like cats will not use.

use litter boxes if they're dirty or if like it doesn't even smell like them. Yeah. And I was like, oh my God. And this. And then here it is. And then this. Yeah. Like and now he has to go in there. Now he has to deal with that because she's gone. So good luck with that. Oh, P responded. Not even a fan of cats, but that is very sad. I think he placed them there yesterday or this morning after I scooped it yesterday. I didn't even think of that. Oh my God. Someone else. Please. them there. If you don't leave, then you are signing yourself up for a lifetime of cruel pranks. I've talked about this with people before, how women can get into this, like, mommy role in their relationship and how even just, like, that can sometimes negatively affect the sexual chemistry

and, like, the romantic chemistry. This kind of takes that to, like, the 10th degree. It's like, this is a child and it's a disgusting baby child that I have to literally clean the shit up of. No, thank you. That is not appealing to anybody. No. So, we do get an update. Ooh. I realized I'm still logged into this account instead of my main, so I thought I'd give an update before logging out forever. I've officially moved back out, back to my parents' house, and they're very, very glad I'm back. Yeah. I haven't told them why we broke up. But they think he cheated, and that's fine by me because the truth is honestly more embarrassing. He kept texting me all day while I was at work, and I ignored him the whole time until I went home.

When he was texting me, that's when I learned he kept them in the mini fridge in his room because he said, quote, that's why I told you so angrily not to take my Red Bull from there. He usually doesn't care. When I got home, I saw that it was stored in a Tupperware container because it was in the sink, along with an assortment of other dishes he left for me with like assorted brown streaks inside it. Oh, no, stop me! Oh, my God. I didn't clean it, and I think that's when he realized I was actually so pissed. I slept in my own room instead of his, and when I woke up, all the dishes were done, and he bought me fly.

I packed up for a couple of days, and he knew I was leaving. He was really sad and helped me pack one day and broke down crying. He said that he made his old roommate leave too with his antics, and I didn't push further, though. Now I really do have to wonder. I understand why some would find it funny, because this is something I'd laugh at in a sitcom or something, but not in real life. It just felt disrespectful and disgusting, and while at work, I just kept thinking about how honestly, how often he made me feel that way. We had been trying for a baby for a month. What?

In parentheses, dumb at my age, I know. Oh my God. And I was thinking about him talking to our future son or daughter like he'd talk to me sometimes and just felt this full body cringe slash chill.

To everyone that thought this was a prank, from me to Reddit, what would I gain from that? I have more karma on my main just for sharing picks of my tomogai. collection. I know it doesn't matter overall, and that someone calls every story fake. I do that too. It's good to suspend your belief when reading things on Reddit, et cetera, but it still kind of hurt my feelings. Like, I felt like I had to defend myself. When I got home, by the way, it was already

cleaned up by him. Otherwise, I would have gotten a picture. I wish I did when I first saw it, and I regret not doing it so much, but I wasn't thinking in that moment. I'm glad she didn't, personally. You would have shown me that shit, and I would have been unhappy. Anyways, Yeah, we broke up. Wow, I'm so glad they broke up. Also, girl, you were in danger. He was trying to, they were trying for a baby. He was trying to trap her. Also, no. That's a baby trap if I've ever seen one. Learning more about him, it's like no wonder he is dating 20 year olds. And he can't even get like a 20 year old to put up with his behavior. Insane. The fact he took that shitty Tupperware and left it in the sink for her to see. And Colleen? Yeah, hell isn't hot enough. If he actually would have like learned him and like, oh no, she's mad, throw it away. Oh, I, yes, that is one that you just throw away.

You don't need to save that Tupperware. You really don't. I know a lot of people were commenting and like he probably threw it away after. And one of the comments in The Best of Reddeter post on this, I love how optimistic that last commenter is about this guy throwing out the tub. I guarantee you that being left to his own devices, this man put the Tupperware back in the cupboard. And then what did he do with the sponge that he used to... Sorry. Nope.

Sorry. Nope. Also back to cats. We've had a story where someone was using their dish brush to clean out the cat's litter box to scrub the cat's litter box. And it was... And then it was back in the... And then back to the sink. And then back to the litter and then back to the sink. Okay. Guys. People are so silly.

This has to stop. I know not a single one of you out there listening right now would ever do something like that. No, no trance. Because you're all good, lovely people. But we as a collective have to do something about this. How do we create a list of like, don't clean cat shit with your dish sponges? Like, how do we create an all-encompassing list of like PSA, here's some public life? advice. Love it. Carousel on Instagram. Maybe we make a Google form. Like maybe we can put that together

and like everyone can submit their life advice and we just keep it rolling. Things we shouldn't have to tell you, but maybe we do? Dude. That's yes. Yes. Terrible. It's really awful Morgan. Well, we're not ending on that note. Thank you. Certainly not. This is coming from True Off My Chest. It is titled, I made my brother's girlfriend cry at dinner, and he thanked me for it. My younger brother Ethan, who's 23, got a girlfriend Maya, who's 22, in January. He met her at their university in the biology department. She's majoring in marine biology, and he's doing general biology. They'd been talking for a while before she asked him out, and they began dating.

I've met Maya once or twice briefly, since I sometimes get asked by Ethan to get him lunch since my work's close. She's a very shy, sweet girl. Last week, on Saturday, we had an end of the week dinner, where Ethan invited Maya for the first time. Our family has a tradition where we invite our partners to dinner only if we're serious, and whenever we do, the whole family has to bring a reasonably decent welcome gift for the new person. We did it with my husband and my oldest brother's wife. Apparently, it started on my father's side. Anyways, after we had dinner and sat on the couch, it was time for gifts. Everyone gave their gifts, and I could tell that she was getting a bit emotional, and I summed it up to her just not being used to it. My turn came, and I gave her a royalish blue scarf I had made

with a hand-embroidered dolphin on the end of it. What the hell? Maya stared at it for a solid five minutes and then started crying. Like completely sobbing. I began apologizing and asking if I did something wrong while my mom got her water and my brother comforted her. After a bit, she calmed down and said she was okay, and that I did nothing wrong, but she left a bit early from dinner with Ethan. I was truly, like, so confused on what I did that yesterday I called Ethan and asked what was wrong. He told me that her her father died three years ago from cancer, and that he, who was also a marine biologist, the reason she wanted to be a marine biologist, used to call her dolly-slash dolphin, because it was her favorite animal growing up and still is, and that his favorite color

was also coincidentally blue. Oh my God. Maya has been depressed ever since his death, and she was so emotional that she ended up crying really bad that night, because she loved the scarf. Maya wanted Ethan to tell me that she didn't dislike me or anything of the sort. And Ethan also thanked me because the morning after

she was grinning all day with the scarf, which hadn't happened in the year that he's known her. That's so like, beautiful. It's so, it's so cute.

Like, the thoughtfulness and just like the coincidence of it all, which like probably to her. It's like the universe. It's just, like signs like everything i don't know i felt like such a sign yeah i'm still here yeah it's just so special i don't know if i've i've talked about it on here yet i talked about it over on clues but after the episode i did with caylin someone reached out um because she talked about losing her aunt

susan and the person reached out and was like you know as i was listening i just kept getting glimpses of these yellow flowers. And they sent me this message on Patreon. And I sent her a screenshot of it. And she goes, like, shut up. I got the chills. Like yellow flowers were Susan's favorite flowers. Oh my God. And so our listener who's over on Patreon, who, you know what I'm talking about. I like sent back and I was like, oh my God. Like it was just like it was such an amazing thing. I'm like, some people are just so gifted. So this is really special. Everything is connected. There's like little threads that tie us all together in this world.

It's a really beautiful thing. It really is. So be a rare breed in a good way, not a freakish way, not a bad way. Way to tie that up, Morgan. This is why you're a pro. Oh, I don't know what I'm doing. I feel like I crash out every week. New episode drops, comments drop, and I'm like, I'm a failure.

But I'm just like not feeling like myself. So this felt good. This was a nice distraction and just I feel like we had a good, a good mix, a good balance of stories. Well, that's such a great tradition too. Oh my gosh. Even just that without the beautiful coincidence that it turned into. I love a present. That was such a kind thing. And I think even without that, like if you've recently lost a parent to then like experience such a warm, welcoming family when that's something you've been missing, like that's already so overwhelming and incredible. It's so incredible. So that's really nice, yeah. Absolutely. Yeah, that was a good note, tend on.

I like it. Thanks for ending us on that note. We needed to. No, God. Not to remind everyone that that happened, but yeah. Yeah, I didn't do that. Sorry, I did. No, it was a good balance.

Good balance. And I like the palate cleanser. I've found a few really good palette cleansers lately. Yeah. So excited to keep bringing them up. But if anyone has any new theme ideas, you want to see drop them in the comments. There's going to be some amazing bonus content on Patreon this month with this theme, the worst of the worst theme. And I'm really trying to find the right person to come sit

with me for the work episode. I have so many amazing work stories now. But I want to find someone who's like maybe a creator but also still works and or like is an HR creator. Yeah. So if you have any. ideas about creators you'd like to see on upcoming episodes, let me know. I feel like there are creators who that's kind of their niche a little bit. Yeah. Like job tips and like works stories and stuff like that. I know. I need, I need, there's a perfect suggestion. Yeah, well, it'd be nice if like you guys let me know and then there was like kind of a common majority. I think that'd be great. I'm also already thinking about a pride episode and I've got a few stories that I'm like starting to

up. So if you see any stories that would be good for pride or any again people that you'd like to see come sit with me and respond to the stories, let me know. But other than that, thank you for being here another week. And until next time, bye. Bye.