DOMINIC YUN: And I was wearing my favorite gray beanie.
SHAY GOLDSTEIN: I really hated that beanie.
DOMINIC YUN: I hated that you hated that beanie.
SHAY GOLDSTEIN: Obviously, that’s not why we broke up, but poor communication is one of the top reasons relationships don’t last.
DOMINIC YUN: I’m Dominic Yun.
SHAY GOLDSTEIN: And I’m Shay Goldstein, and this is The Ex Talk, a brand-new show from Pacific Public Radio. Thanks for joining us. We’re coming to you live from Seattle, or if you’re listening by podcast, somewhere in the somewhat recent past. Full honesty: This is not just our first episode but also our first time on the air like this. I’ve been a producer at the station for ten years, and Dominic’s been working as a reporter since October, which was also around the time we started dating. And earlier this year, we broke up.
DOMINIC YUN: But we still had to face each other at work every day, which I think made it easier for us to stay friends. Or at the very least, passive-aggressive acquaintances.
SHAY GOLDSTEIN: We’ve both been really excited about getting behind a microphone like this and having a chance to talk about something that public radio has never devoted an entire show to: dating and relationships. That’s what The Ex Talk is about, with an emphasis on sharing stories—your stories. We’re hoping to break down stereotypes and gender roles when it comes to relationships, and in the next few weeks, we’ll have experts on the show to help us out.
DOMINIC YUN: On this first episode, we’re talking about why we broke up. We’ll take some calls a little later, but we wanted to start with our story, because clearly it’s something even Shay and I can’t agree on. Here are some other reasons couples break up these days: jealousy, broken promises, insecurity, infidelity—
SHAY GOLDSTEIN: Working too closely with your partner.
DOMINIC YUN: Or maybe interrupting them constantly.
SHAY GOLDSTEIN: I thought this was friendly banter?
DOMINIC YUN: I feel like that would require you being friendly.
SHAY GOLDSTEIN: I’m friendly! To my friends!
DOMINIC YUN: Okay, then—one friend to another, can I ask you a question?
SHAY GOLDSTEIN: Um . . .
Sound of papers shuffling.
DOMINIC YUN: It’s not in our notes. Because I want to hear your honest answer.
SHAY GOLDSTEIN: Perfect. You want to ad-lib during our first three minutes on the air?
DOMINC YUN: Never mind. You’re building it up too much. There’s too much suspense.
SHAY GOLDSTEIN: Dominic Yun, I will walk out of this studio right now if you don’t—
Dominic laughs.
DOMINIC YUN: Okay, okay. What I really want to know, since we’re talking about, you know, our relationship, is what you’d change about me, if you could. Assuming I’m not a flawless human being.
SHAY GOLDSTEIN: Oh, I definitely don’t need notes for that. Okay. So the first thing is that you’d only be able to talk about your master’s degree, like, once a month. Preferably never, but I’m not sure your ego could take it.
DOMINIC YUN: My master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern?
SHAY GOLDSTEIN: Yep, that’s the one. You also—you do this thing where you lean against a wall and crane your neck to talk to people, and it feels really condescending sometimes. Like you’re literally talking down to them.
DOMINIC YUN: You do realize you’re, like, five feet tall, right? Am I not supposed to look at you when we’re talking?
SHAY GOLDSTEIN: I am five two. Respect those two inches. No, but this is my special magical world where I can change anything about you. You didn’t say it had to make sense.
DOMINIC YUN: You could just make me shorter.
SHAY GOLDSTEIN: I like how tall you are. I mean—so you can reach things for me when I don’t feel like climbing up on a counter.