The episode features a mediated conversation between two estranged friends, Jason and James, facilitated by a host (Speaker C). Jason recounts a past domestic‑violence incident where his knee was broken and feels James was dismissive and non‑supportive, leading to a rupture in their friendship. He also describes a later conflict over a $1,700 bill during a Cancun trip, interpreting James' comments as jealous and hurtful. James counters by denying those statements, explaining his own boundaries, and describing a "tough love" stance, including refusing to rescue Jason after the hospital incident. The host intervenes repeatedly, prompting reflection, offering therapeutic framing (e.g., “building bricks and walls” when triggered), and encouraging accountability and growth. Both participants express a desire for reconciliation, apologize for past actions, yet acknowledge lingering ego and unresolved feelings. The conversation ends with the host suggesting the relationship can still heal while recognizing that growth may be asynchronous.
Chapters
2 years ago, my ex that I was involved with broke my knee.
Mm, so sorry.
And James was the first person I called. James is like my brother. He's my family. He's my everything. Yeah. You know, I was disowned when I was 15 from my family. Yeah. And James has a very large family that I've always admired and I've always wanted to be a part of that.
Yeah.
So when I called like my brother, it was like, yo, I need you to come pick me up "Right now and take me to the hospital." He was very like nonchalant and cavalier about it. I had to get an emergency, get a—
An ambulance?
An ambulance, thank you. Yeah. To take me to the hospital. When I found out that my knee was actually broken, I called him again and I told him and he kind of just acted like I was being overdramatic.
You're in the hospital at this time now?
I'm in the hospital.
Okay.
And that's, we haven't spoken since.
And when you say being, it sound like he was acting as if you were being overdramatic. What was he saying?
Well, he was giving me a lot of excuses. He was saying that he was tired. I think he was saying that his left light was out.
So what happened after that?
James reached out to me, but by that time, I personally was no longer ready to talk to him. I will say my ego did get in the way. Got it. When I was ready to reach out to him, He did not reach out and I understood that. I respected that. A mutual friend of ours tried to come and mend our relationship. I was open to it. My friend said that he was open to it. Still haven't heard anything.
Hmm, okay. And when did you hear from James?
Well, that's why we're here today. I haven't heard from James.
So does he feel that in any way?
Honestly, To tell you the truth, I've been off social media for quite some time since all this has happened. And I reactivated my social media account literally 3 days ago. And he created a group chat between myself and a mutual friend of ours. And I was confused because we haven't spoken. And so I thought it was very disrespectful. So I chose not to reply because we haven't talked in 2 years. Why are you creating a group chat when you know that we haven't talked.
Yeah. And did he see that you hadn't replied?
I left him on read, so.
Okay. I gotta ask you, what does a best friend mean to you?
A best friend is family. A best friend is someone that is there for you through thick or thin. And I'm not taking away, my best friend has been there for me, but when I needed him the most, I know that I can be a lot. I know I can be overwhelming. I have, and I know the older I get is becoming an issue. It is truly become an issue. I know I have overwhelmed him. And you know, we had a, we went to a trip in Cancun about 2021. And that's really when our friendship, like I felt like our friendship really started to break down because He told me that he needed space from me and I don't wanna be around anyone that needs space from me. And a few months had passed and my birthday came around and the bill came and there's certain people that were supposed to contribute to the bill. The bill was $1,700. I said, "Hey, do you want me to cover it?" And I hear him behind me say, "Can you even afford it?" So it made me feel like, okay, what is going on? Is there some underlying jealousy? Because I've also heard that as well from outside sources. Several people have come to me and I've always ignored it, but I'm like, I am here today because I want to settle whatever murky waters and issues that we have because I want my friend back. I miss my friend, I miss my brother.
Well, I think it's time to hear what James has to say about all of this. So let's welcome James to the show. You haven't seen him in 2 years, right?
I haven't seen him, I haven't talked to him.
2 years?
2 years. 2 years.
2 years. Hi.
How's it going?
Good, James. Welcome to the show.
Thank you.
Nice to be here. So what do you have to say about what you heard?
A lot of things that he said touched me, but some of them, it was lies.
Okay. What was the things that were lies?
Me saying that, can you afford the bill? I would've never said that. The fact that you would say I said that, that's really off-putting because you know I'm a humble person. So I don't understand why would you say I said that? I don't even understand why you would say that I'm jealous of you because you said that you heard somebody say that. But if I'm your brother, why wouldn't you come to me and say, "Hey, are you jealous of me or somebody said this?" Because you know I'm not jealous. That's a ridiculous accusation.
Well, James, I wasn't the only one that heard it, so I'm gonna just respectfully to say, you know, that's, if you're okay with that, that's fine.
But his question was, why didn't you go to him without, like, if in that moment, if you heard it from several people, or you heard it yourself, why not talk to him and say, hey, what's going on?
You know what, I guess I just brushed it under the rug. I didn't want to have any conflicts, but I guess it came back to my mind when I needed him the most and he was not there.
Got it. So James, from your opinion, what happened that night?
I came to his house earlier that day 'cause I had to bring him his book. We had just hung out for Father's Day, remember? I remember. And he left his book in my car. I went to his house to take him the book. I said, "Oh, you looking good. Where you going?" He said, "I'm going to a meeting." I said, "You want me to take you to your meeting?" I said, "I was going that way. I'm going downtown. I'm gonna take you to the meeting." He said, "No." I said, "Mm." It sound like you up to no good because I know him.
Mm-hmm.
Few hours later, few hours later, he blowing up my phone, calling me, come get me. Me and this person just got into a fight after we discussed days before you wasn't even gonna talk to this person anymore. Mm. So I felt like, handle your business. If this is what you wanna do, you have to handle your own business. And to me, it's tough.
Tough love.
I'm not going to come to your rescue when you're doing things that you know you shouldn't do. You have to understand that this is your life.
It's been 2 years since y'all seen each other. Have you missed him?
Certain things.
You know you miss me.
But the dramatic Jason, I do not miss.
And I hear you and I receive that and I can take full accountability that yes, I am not perfect and yes, I have contributed to Several of my downfalls, but it's been 2 years and I just would like for you to give me a chance to show you I've changed.
Have you made any comments to him about the fact that he was in a domestic violence situation and that his knee was broke? Have you talked to him about it? Have you said anything to him yet?
When he was in the hospital, I called him several times, we talked, and when he was on his way home from the hospital, I said, "Hey, would you like me to come pick you up?" He said that, "No, because you know your truck is too big. I wouldn't be able to get in your truck." I said, "Well, call me when you get home and I'm gonna come see you." I called him several times after that and that's when I realized I was cut off.
Oh.
Was like, well, then you're right.
So James, so I missed this piece. So he was reaching out to you after you got out the hospital. He even offered to pick you up.
Yeah.
But then once you're home and he's reaching out to check on you, why didn't you pick up?
I still, I'm still upset.
Jason, what do you need from James?
I really was hoping that we could come here and mend our friendship and be brothers again. I'm not perfect and I am wrong and I do apologize.
Jason, I gotta say something. I'm gonna tell you this. I appreciate you having the courage to come here. I'm really happy that you have, I've heard you take accountability for a lot of the things that you've done. And I think this is a hard moment for you because what we're witnessing with you is that you're in the middle of growth. What's going on? What are you thinking about?
What's happening?
I just feel like I lost my friend. I just don't even feel like we're gonna even think, I don't, I just, do you wanna be friends with me? I feel like you're good with us either way. And that's what's concerning to me. That's what hurts me.
Well, that's a bit of my ego because you decided to cut me off. So I built up that defense mechanism to protect my feelings.
I'm glad you said that because it goes to the piece of work that I need you to do. Because when you get triggered about feeling abandoned, you give them the bricks to start building the walls. Your action of not being willing to be vulnerable and open Because you are in your feelings and I understand why. And so I don't want to invalidate 'cause I get it. If I have felt no one's gonna support me, of course the minute I feel that sign, I'm gonna put a brick there. But then you can't be mad when he puts a brick on top of that. So what you have to understand right now is that if he gives you an opportunity for y'all to move forward, if you ever get triggered again, you can't be the one to shut down and say, you know what, then I'm done. Because that is only gonna keep you in a cycle where he's always gonna be like, I'm not gonna deal with you.
Okay.
Woo! That came easier than I thought. You came here for closure, but it's clear that this relationship is not closed yet. It just needs to grow. That's all it is. But if the growth is not happening at the same time, sometimes you do have to grow apart. But I feel like this is a space where y'all can actually grow back together. I really do wish y'all the best of luck.
