Pop Culture Thursday!! In this jam-packed episode, Jared tackles the NBA Cup drama and offers his hilarious ideas on how to make it better. Then, he dives into Taylor Swift's birthday celebrations—what do you get for someone who has it all? Plus, Craig and Austen from Southern Charm open a bar, and Jared has thoughts. Stick around for listener emails, dating dilemmas, and, of course, a luxury lounge segment you don’t want to miss. It’s all the opinions you didn’t know you needed, delivered with Jared’s signature wit and humor!

First up, Jared shares his excitement over an article about Craig Conover and Austin Kroll of Southern Charm, who just opened a new bar in Charleston, South Carolina. Jared's longtime friend Keith Benjamin is their partner in this venture, and he takes us down memory lane, sharing stories about their friendship, Keith’s rise in the hospitality world, and how Charleston became Keith’s playground for success. From opening Uptown Social to now co-owning The Cozy Den, Keith’s journey inspires and entertains. Jared even includes an exclusive quote from Keith about the vibe, food, and freezing martinis at their new spot.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Jared gives us his take on the bar’s aesthetic, menu highlights (hello, French onion dip and fox wings), and what makes this bar a must-visit spot. Whether you're planning a bachelor party or just love elevated tavern food, The Cozy Den might be your next destination.

Later, Jared switches gears to the world of NYC real estate—well, sort of. Supermodel Gigi Hadid’s recent revelation about dealing with a rat problem in her New York apartment gets Jared talking about the universal woes of NYC living. Whether you're a billionaire or living in a tiny studio, it turns out no one is safe from the city’s infamous rodent invasion.

Jared unpacks the latest drama surrounding Vanderpump Rules alum Tom Sandoval. Jared humorously reflects on Sandoval’s inability to escape his cheating reputation, questioning whether the public fight between Sandoval and his girlfriend, Victoria Lee Robinson, is just another ploy to keep his name in the headlines. Jared’s take? “Tiger doesn’t change his stripes—drama is Sandoval’s natural habitat.”

Next, Jared turns his sights on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Christmas card, sharing his own amusing tradition of ranking holiday cards with a friend. He critiques the inclusion of their production company, Archewell Productions, on the card, and questions the hype over a “rare photo” of their kids. His candid commentary pokes at the couple’s balancing act between seeking privacy and leveraging their royal titles for public interest.

Jared reads about Victoria Beckham clearing up plastic surgery rumors, marveling at how an interview about her nose becomes a full-blown PR moment to plug her contouring skills and beauty line. His lighthearted analysis, paired with witty skepticism, makes for an entertaining exploration of celebrity branding and public image.

He dives into Jim Carrey's "retirement" comments and why the internet got it wrong, Timothée Chalamet's bold Bob Dylan-inspired look, and what makes him a showstopper on and off-screen. Then, Jared dissects the PR spectacle around Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's relationship, decoding the art of the perfectly curated boyfriend narrative. Finally, he shares his take on the NBA Cup's declining ratings and why players (and fans) might need a reason to care.

Email your favorite stories to jtrainpodcast@gmail.com or DM the pod on Instagram @jtrainpodcast

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Hop on the "JTrain" with comedian Jared Freid and his crew of pals, including YOU! Join us for an hour of laughs, gripes, and straight talk on modern love. Send in your questions, dish on the latest trends, and more to jtrainpodcast@gmail.com – we'll tackle it all on air! It's a no-nonsense, fun journey where we escape reality for a bit, delivering quick laughs and razor-sharp insights into the wild world of life and love. Tune in every Monday.

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Jared Freid is a stand up comedian from Boston and who is currently based in New York City. Jared is known to give great dating advice and is all knowing of the Bachelor & Bachelorette nation! You can catch his latest comedy special on Netflix, “37 & Single”, where Jared discusses dating app frustrations to awkward setups to breakup justifications. (For the record, Jared’s mom thinks his body is “just fine.”) Besides regularly headlining and touring around the country, Jared hosts two podcasts called “The JTrain Podcast” and “U Up? Podcast” with Jordana Abraham of Betches, where they discuss their takes on modern dating with issues ranging from apps to hookups to relationships. Check out more of his comedy and a live show today! 👉https://jaredfreid.com/