OUR RATING:
Are you blessed with a therapy-enlightened cousin who has a podcast about relationship drama? “Two Hot Takes” is a bit like that, but manages to stand out by doing something unique: making other people’s problems even more entertaining than they already are.
Host Morgan Absher, alongside a rotating cast of co-hosts (most notably her mother, Mrs. Absher, who deserves her own spin-off series), dives into Reddit’s most juicy, bizarre, and occasionally traumatizing relationship stories with all the enthusiasm of a true-crime detective who’s had one too many espressos. The podcast primarily features tales from Reddit’s infamous relationship-focused subreddits, where users share everything from minor disagreements about dishwasher loading techniques to earth-shattering family feuds that would make Shakespeare say “okay, that’s a bit much.”
Two Hot Takes is particularly good at discerning which stories will be the most entertaining– and whoever curates them deserves a raise for finding the perfect mix of “oh no they didn’t” and “oh my god they actually did.” It’s the commentary that elevates this podcast from simple drama consumption to what I like to call “therapeutic schadenfreude.” Morgan and her co-hosts analyze each situation with a blend of empathy, unfiltered reactions, and enough sass to fill a Real Housewives reunion special.
The podcast’s format is simple: read ridiculous stories from the internet and react to them in real-time. But somehow, they’ve turned this basic concept into a two or three-hour extravaganzas that fly by faster than your ex’s new relationship status update. The hosts pause at all the right moments to express collective disbelief, offer surprisingly solid advice, or simply scream “WHAT?” into their microphones – which, let’s be honest, is often the only appropriate response to some of these stories.
The most entertaining aspect of “Two Hot Takes” is how it makes listeners feel simultaneously better about their own life choices and terrified of ever entering another relationship. One minute you’re judging someone for letting their mother-in-law move in without discussing it with their spouse, and the next you’re taking notes on red flags you never knew existed. Who knew you needed to ask potential partners about their stance on sharing bath towels with their siblings?
The production quality is professional enough to make you forget you’re essentially eavesdropping on strangers discussing other strangers’ problems, but casual enough to feel like you’re gossiping with friends over wine. The ad reads, while numerous, are delivered with the same energy as the stories, making them slightly less annoying than your average podcast interruption – though I still wouldn’t mind fewer reminders about Hello Fresh and Better Help… yes I know these companies exist… start putting your marketing dollars somewhere else people!
The community that has built up around the show is equally entertaining, with listeners sharing their own hot takes in the comments and on social media. It’s like a book club where nobody reads the book but everyone has strong opinions about the protagonist’s decision to text their ex at 2 AM. The show has mastered the art of engagement, creating a space where judgment is not just allowed but actively encouraged – as long as it’s delivered with a healthy dose of humor and the occasional moment of self-reflection.
For anyone wondering whether to dive into the “Two Hot Takes” universe, I offer this advice: start with one of their more outrageous episodes, preferably involving someone’s wedding, a family inheritance, or anything labeled “ULTIMATE UPDATE.” You’ll either emerge hours later as a devoted fan or questioning humanity’s collective decision-making abilities. Either way, you’ll be entertained, and isn’t that what we’re all looking for while avoiding our own problems?
Where to listen to Two Hot Takes
Episodes.fm | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Overcast | Pocket Casts | Castro
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