Love the pod :)

I agree with the need for growth, this new format just feels like the wrong corrections. Content feels sadder for some reason.

Please, I beg(!!!), fix the audio. This weeks episode is unbearable as the guests are basically a whisper in comparison to your mic. The new format is good on YouTube, but horrific as a regular podcast. The audio has one person screaming and the other whispering. Without the visuals, it’s difficult to keep track of what’s actually happening. The constant laughter of an unknown woman in the background is also distracting. The political addition this week seemed very off brand and definitely did not align with the “take your brain off the shelf” angle you usually go for.

Obsessed with everything Jared does. Would recommend any and all of his podcasts and can’t come to terms with giving anything less than a five star review. But please Jared…listen to the audience and ditch this new format! I applaud you for trying something new and taking it in a new direction but it’s just not working! The show is chaotic, the guests are not exciting, the sound quality is off. Your stand up shows and the Netflix special is top notch and I bet is drawing in a new crowd. But I’m not sure they will take a liking to the podcast with the format it’s in now. Please continue to make changes or go back to the old format! Nothing but love still, just missing the old JTrain!!!

Jared, love you, love your podcasts, loved the special. The new format is not working. I too have stopped listening regularly because of the chaotic structure being unpleasant, but mostly your sound levels are all over the place. I understand that sound engineering isn’t your wheelhouse so I’m letting you know that you NEED someone to be mixing this. If you do already, find someone else because despite what had been good content this has become unlistenable.

I thoroughly enjoyed the old Jtrain podcast and especially luxury lounge so I wanted to give Jared a chance to work out the kinks with his new format. But, for me, the show has lost its appeal. The audio level problems have Jared screaming while the other guests are often inaudible. I’m constantly adjusting the volume. Even worse, it’s just not funny anymore. With the old podcast, I’d laugh out loud nearly every show. Now I’m lucky if I laugh once per episode. It’s a bummer because I think Jared and Jordana are actually getting funnier on U Up while this new Jtrain format is tanking. All that said, I’m a business guy and know that sometimes you have to take a shot to make things happen. Many of my shots failed too. Kudos to Jared for trying. I hope he lands on something that works for him.

Jared, you’re great and the new version is so funny but the audio is so bad in these episodes. Mics are not at the same level for each guest which makes it very hard to listen to. Also, the producer’s laugh in the background is highly unprofessional.

Jtrain used to be my favorite podcast. I have been a Patreon member for many many years (and still am). I used to listen to this podcast right when it came out. Now it sits on my phone until I have run out of other pods. I can’t even make it through an episode, or if I do, I find that I tune it out and have trouble paying attention. It needs structure or some sort of direction and consistency. The producer laughing in the background is distracting. Love Jared and love coffee with jtrain. I miss luxury lounge. Giving 5 stars because I want to support Jared.

huge fan for probably 6+ years now, have been to your shows, and just unsubscribed to the patreon. I’ve given the format a solid try for a few months now, and while it’s no longer for me I couldn’t be more excited to see where it takes you - hopefully more in the direction you’re looking to go!! Will certainly keep giving this a try from time to time, but I really miss the rapport and momentum it used to have. If I could give any thoughtful feedback, I’d say there was a natural cadence of banter with the guests where now I find the show is much harder to follow - at least as a podcast user (assuming it’s easier on YT). I also can’t tell if there’s a set team, or if it’s changing (tbh I get confused by the different voices). Hope to keep catching you on u up, but will def miss the coffee with jtrain, luxury lounge, and dating advice. The train has probably left the station re: the old format, but it may have been easier with a few small changes here and there while still incorporating a few anchor elements that retained your repeat listeners - never too late too add things back in!

Sad to go, I miss the old format and Jared’s songs. I can’t get behind the poor audio and sometimes trying to keep up with sometimes MULTIPLE voices speaking at once. It would’ve been nice to see Jared only change 1 episode a week instead of switching up cold turkey. Nonetheless, wishing him the best.

This was my favorite podcast and I eagerly looked forward to it every single week. Since the new format change however I’ve been unable to get through a single episode because of the distraction from too many guests competing to get attention, poor audio quality and the lack of compelling emails that I wanted to hear Jared’s genuine take on. Ive had to unsubscribe but I hope if he goes back to his original format, I can return…..until then, UUp is all I’ll have of the good old days.

I loved luxury lounge & coffee with jtrain. The new format is really hard to listen to though so now I’ve just lost two pods that I listened to every week! Aside from the audio issues everyone else already mentioned, the content is all over the place & the laugh in the background drives me crazy (they laugh so loud at things that really aren’t that funny… seems like they just want attention).

The girls from Girls Gotta Eat mentioned Jared So many times in their podcasts that I went and listened to U Up?. It quickly became my favorite podcast. I couldn’t love it more and I wish there was a daily version of that show! I needed more content so I jumped to Jared’s podcast and it’s just different enough but still in the same tone. Love your content! Loved you on Diet Starts Tomorrow! Keep being you and keeping things real! Edit- the audio and poor production on the new episodes is killing me! I haven’t made it through a lot of the new episodes and it’s purely due to poor sound quality :/

Updated and last review: Can’t listen anymore Jared. Format is still a mess, sound is not worth the money you are paying, two guests are too many, where’s the good stuff (life advise and luxury lounge), why are you commenting on visuals/ videos on a podcast? Why are we spending the whole episode talking about New York City restaurants? I go to New York once a year. P.S. getting the political person was not a smart move, I got so annoyed by her saying democrats not voting for biden are single issue voters. As if voters aren’t allowed to care about one single thing as if their lives and freedom depend on that. I had to shut the episode immediately, but I appreciate your attempt to change the subject. It was however unsuccessful. I think the show would have been more successful had you changed one thing at a time. For example instead of having only comic guests get every content creator you want to have on the show (finance, chefs, stylists, travelers etc) and get tailored luxury lounge complaints or Jared emails to the guest. Will come back when you announce a change in format at UUP, I will go to your live show in March with the group chat. If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. —- Updated brief review: Yelling level: obnoxiously high, I miss your whispering calming luxury lounge voice 😩 Segment intro: what’s wrong with some Jared music intros 😩😩 Guests: too many, too interruptive, explain the segments to them beforehand so they don’t talk over you. This makes the show way too laid back its reading borderline lazy Audio and visual balance: the narrative of the new show relies a lot on visual clips and videos. I get that you want to expand but please know this doesn’t align with podcast majority audience. I listen to podcasts while doing laundry cooking cleaning and driving. If I can’t follow 80% of your show without looking at my phone I really don’t see myself designating time to “watch it”. I suggest having one segment max that needs me to look. Otherwise post these segment separately on instagram or TikTok this is not made for podcasting. Luxury lounge: was the single best idea in the history of comedy and I’m sad to see you let it retire. I would have paid money for that. Collectively, while you are an amazing comic you are best when we see you as a friend giving day to day pep talk. The current episodes are not personal or relatable. In a current social media driven world, relatability is key. You have it why aren’t you using it? BRB crying. —- I’m an avid listener for 5 years, your voice lives in my head rent free. As fans, we totally understand with the New Year’s resolution and the need for change but the new format needs a better editing and a lot more structure. I get consolidating to one show but you can still keep segments that your audience gravitates towards (and you are great at such as giving advice). Here my unsolicited suggestions as someone who gives a da** about this show: 1- sound quality is awful, your home microphone was a lot better 2- one guest at a time, when you have more especially men they talk over each other and all I heard was bros laughing like they are in a barstool bar. Also if they won’t listen to you and respect your pod, don’t invite them. Remember we are here to listen to YOU. The guest is just a compliment. 3- name the segments, have some intro music, sing if you have to before each of them. The episode has to have a beginning, a few middles and an end. For example, Oversharing is a podcast that was so easy to follow from episode 1. Because they came with clear segments and explained what the segments were. This week’s show tbh was like chilling with male comedians after hours and turns out we don’t like that. 4- keep some of the old stuff we liked! Luxury lounge was GOLD and there was nothing like it out there. If it was a TV show I would pay money more for it. I’m worried someone will come and replicate your idea too! Maybe read only 1-2 emails of that. Same thing for relationship advice. I get that you hate overlapping with uup. So how about you tell your audience that you won’t read any romantic relationship advise here send to UUP, but everything else send to J train. 5- I get that you want to do the pop culture games thing you but it will take us a minute to get used to it. 6- I feel you made too many changes at once without the level of planning you expected this needs. I suggest you could have had jordana as your first guest to ease into all the changes as you guys have great chemistry and she doesn’t talk over you. Or even did it solo. 7- best of luck brother, will keep listening until the changes occur. Otherwise if it stays the same I will just keep listening to you on uup and morn the previous podcast.

Jared, I am a huge fan, you are hilarious. Please keep the podcast more light hearted. I’m here for the new journey but not for the political guests. We’re here to put our brain on the shelf. More luxury lounge less politics.

Love Jared, long time listener of the pod, but I do miss his songs and the old format. I also miss the peaceful way I could listen to each episode without hearing the producer laughing loudly and incessantly in the background. Her laugh is over the top and is a huge distraction. I am sorry but I wish she would mute herself. The show stands alone without a laugh track.

This new format is really confusing to follow. Most of the time I can’t tell if how the episode is stitched together is intentional or if there was a mistake in post production that got uploaded to the feed. Audio quality really jumps all over the place. Finding this harder and harder to listen to.

I love you but yikes the new format is awful. Please bring back the luxury lounge. This sounds like every other bro podcast. The sound quality is terrible now.

I say this with love - the poor audio and lack of clean , quality production in this new format is hard to listen to . As well as that new woman cohosts laugh. Get a producer who can improve the quality and create a better structured format. Missing the old J train.

Used to love the show. Also the old pod pic was much better!

Long time JTrain fan and enjoy the new format of the show. However, the producer laughing in the background has made this borderline unlistenable. It’s so distracting and unnecessary. Also please please please- bring back luxury lounge! It was a such a unique and fun portion of the internet!

Dying laughing at the Feb 4 episode about the shirt flying off in the airplane HAHAHA

I won’t give you less than 5 stars, but I am really struggling with the new format. Here is the main issue for me (and maybe others in my demographic??). I am a 45 year old married mother and I just cannot in any way relate to relationship talk. I listened to Luxury Lounge religiously and loved it. But this new format is like 90 percent stuff I can’t relate to. Luxury Lounge was 100 percent hysterical and relatable for people like me!!! I know I’m not your only listener and, truly, who cares what I think? But I’m just wondering if there’s a whole chunk of listeners who feel this way. Like, I WANT to listen to your podcast but it doesn’t feel like it’s for me anymore???? Luxury lounge was for everyone!!!!!!

Love all things J-Train but please fix the audio. My poor ears either can’t hear or being blown out.

I have been a listener since the beginning and the new format I can’t stand to keep on for more than 60 seconds. It is a nightmare for people with ADD/ADHD with the various co-hosts and banter and the sound quality sounds so much worse than before in his apartment. I have tried 3 of the new format episodes but probably have to unfollow the show it’s no longer enjoyable. Bring back the old J Train and Luxury Lounge with Jared leading.

Long time listener and I so look forward to my J-Train fix. However, the recent changes have me feeling disappointed. The content is so disjointed and it’s difficult to follow. I get trying to mix it up, but this feels like an over correction.

Listened to Jtrain since 2020 and have loved his show up until now. Not at fan of the new format, sounds like the show has gone backwards and not forwards. The audio needs work and the show needs more structure with fewer guests. I understand the idea behind, just not excited well. Jared is so fun to listen to and is a great comedian, so hopefully the show works itself out of the rough patches.

To quote Taylor Swift, “You’re Losing Me”, Jared.

Listened to jordanas ep bc I love you two on U Up. I found myself getting bored as you were talking. I think there needs to be more structure and plan to the episodes. The prior ones we can blame the guests being too rambunctious but I think this episode highlighted that 1) an hour of rambling does not an interesting episode make 2) the audio quality is improved but still not up to pre-2024 and other podcasts quality. I know Jared is amazing and has the audience and I hope this can make a turn around! Former review from earlier jan 2024 episode below: This used to be my favorite podcast and I was sooo excited when Jared announced the “new and improved” podcast format. well, imagine my disappointment when the new podcast (1/1/24) debuts and the audio is horrible, there are people talking over each other, and it was just 3 white guys laughing at each other’s non-existent jokes. There are a bunch of other podcasts who already do this, with better audio. I love Jared and his guests, I know this is new format, so I am definitely going to keep watching and supporting, but just felt like I needed to leave some constructive criticism. please consider only having one guest on, fixing the audio issues, and less random riffing and more emails, luxury complaints, and advice as that’s what we all love from you.

This podcast has completely changed. It’s new a generic bro comedy podcast with second rate comedians trying to out funny each other. No thanks, I’m out. Also out on the Patreon too. I’m sad because this was my #1 podcast.

The ick was coined by women. You had a crowd work bit about it. It’s great. You do not own the concept of the ick or making comedy about ick. You sound defensive and insecure and bitter about Taylor’s success. Not a good look.

I strongly believe that if you’re not passionate about the work, it won’t be at its best — so I’m glad Jared decided the old format wasn’t inspiring him anymore and made a change. I also know one of his goals was to expand to a broader audience beyond UUp and Betchlor. For a successful audience expansion, the goal is to welcome new audience members while also keeping most of the old. That’s how an audience grows in number. I can’t imagine this show is on the path to growth, because this complete tonal shift makes no effort to retain Jared’s mostly female audience. Multiple jokes made by guests in the first three episodes were explicitly misogynistic. Jared, women don’t want to hear men make jokes about them being in the kitchen. I was really in support of you making a change that felt right for you — but this is such a deviation from the supportive, understanding advice for women that many listeners felt was your differentiator that I fear many will leave. And frankly, though I still appreciate your voice on the other podcasts, I’m not likely to pay for a ticket to see a comedian who would laugh at jokes that put women down on the show they’ve named after themselves. ————————— Pre-change review: I really loved this week’s honest conversations about body issues. Always love the comedy, but this was a really great balance that felt super honest and much needed at this time. Thank you both for your vulnerability!

Was a huge fan of Jtrain for over 6 years and just not a fan of this new format. It feels like it no longer caters to my demographic, intentional or not. I liked jtrain because it was something much different than what other podcasters were putting out but this feels like an attempt at Joe Rogan and every other round table male comedian podcast. Hoping to see changes that are aligned more with what he was originally putting out there but unsubscribed for now.

I have been a fan of Jared’s and a Patreon subscriber for years. The new podcast format is losing me. I think it’s really missing the advertised mark of “razor sharp insights” - just sounds like a bunch of stoned bro comedians yelling into (poor quality) microphones about nothing. I don’t follow the segments and the entire podcast flow just seems off. I appreciate your desire to change up to format, even though it no longer aligns with my personal interests for podcast content. At minimum, I hope you can rediscover the higher production quality that used to be present on this podcast. The audio, lack of transition sounds, even the podcast description (it says “Jared Fried,” seriously?) feels very amateur. I can’t bear to give you 1/5 stars so giving my honest feedback instead. I will stay on Patreon for Coffee with J Train as long as you keep doing it!

Having two co-hosts, especially two men makes it impossible to follow unless you watch on video. Also, putting all the old segments listeners actually loved on patreon is just a slimy thing to do. I am disappointed and hope you consider making more changes.

The new format is not for me!

I’ve been a consumer of all things Jared for years and I’m confident he’ll keep tweaking, but the new format still hasn’t locked into place for me. The episodes with Nathan and Allison are improving and it seems like the two of them are finding their roles, but the other episodes are lacking in structure and are all over the place. They’ll be a few minutes into a segment and I’ll be completely lost in what they’re supposed to be talking about. I also think it would be good in these early months to intro these co-hosts more so we get to know them, like what was done with co-hosts in the past.

This show WAS a SOLID 5 Stars…. Literally consumed this show- every show from 2020 when I found it- BACKWARDS to the first show, then loyally every week. Any Jared content … Couldn’t get enough of Jared, and was so excited to see his career growth from TV appearances to his Netflix special and a live show. This show is now a bit of a train wreck. It’s now a chaotic & dumbed down “bro show.” Too many guests and people talking over one another. So unorganized I don’t know who’s who, what the topic is, & confidence by the format. Leaves the listener feeling very much on the outside… I actually haven’t been able to listen though even one show-as much as I really have tried. Jared is so much better one on one with guests. I don’t even care if you do advice or emails….just want more Jared and less of whatever obnoxious frat house chuckle fest is going on. Sound quality has taken a real nosedive too. The JTrain is headed somere new, cool…but I guess this is my stop. It was a great ride, but I’m off for now. I’ll still enjoy listening to Jared on the betches u up podcast where he’s still such a likable & hilarious character.

I loved the old format, it was unique and let Jared’s (and guests’) humor come through. The new format is just a bro fest with comedians jockeying to outdo each other. There are a thousand podcasts like that and there’s a reason I don’t subscribe to any of them. I gave the new format a few episodes but I found it way too painful to continue.

trying to listen to the new podcast, giving you a chance to figure your stuff out, but each episode has awful sound quality - it’s hard to listen to. Please fix and I’ll fix my rating.

Understand wanting change and like the concept of the new show. However poor execution thus far. Everyone is talking over each other, the sound quality is bad, and there seems to be no structure.

The yelling, the segments, just not working, it is not the Aristocats! Miss luxury lounge and hearing more of Jared’s voice. Agreed with everyone else, the audio is wonky and your ‘guests’ are obnoxious and taking over the show. Drop these losers.

Not against trying out something new. Cool premise, but poor audio and chaotic segments with guests constantly trying to get a word in edgewise making it a really tough listen.

It seems like Jared was bored of the “set it and forget it” nature of the original jtrain show. The thing is, it was something unique, dating advice AND comedians/comedy. That made it quite distinct from U Up which has a more predominate betches audience. There are a million talk show format podcasts out there, the ones that stand out are usually the ones with either a mega famous host (bill burr, Theo Vaughn) or a group of consistent hosts with amazing chemistry (bad friends to name one). There could be a talk show portion of this show but it needs to be anchored around *something*. I’m updating to 3/5 stars because i feel like it’s now at a “c” grade. I’m gonna keep coming back but more rarely.

No no no this new format needs to go. Who even are these people? Also this change feels super rushed. I feel like you announced changes abruptly - first time being on U up with Jordana and her finding out for the first time she was going to cohost.. only for her not to even be on here. This needs more planning Jared! I’m out for now, maybe I’ll check in to see if any changes made in a few months

I’ve consumed all of Jared’s content for the last 6 years, including being a patreon member. I totally understand the need for a show to evolve and change, and I trust Jared will figure out the content people want to hear, but there are two main issues I have with the new pod. 1. The sound quality HAS to get better. One second I’m rushing to turn the volume up to hear what is being said, only to then have a guest scream and nearly blow out an eardrum. 2. The guests have been overbearing and honestly just annoying to listen to (with the exception of Allison). The first episode was so “bro” I didn’t want to listen past 5 minutes & the third episode had Nathan screaming and interrupting stories at every turn. This all comes from a place of love- I just want this to be the pod I get excited to see in my downloads again!

There are two many people talking over each other with poor sound quality. For this reason I’m out…..

The issue I have with the new format is it feels all over the place. The sound quality is diminished too. You sound super far away. I was someone who skipped the Luxury Lounge episodes and listened to the episodes with the emails. I’m all for some new segments, but this needs structure. I find myself skipping to parts I want to listen to and I fear at some point, I’ll just stop altogether because it’ll become too laborious. I hope it improves.

I miss the old format! I most of all miss full Luxury Lounge episodes! This new round table format also has so much yelling and talking over each other. When I’m listening in headphones one person is further from the mic so I turn it up to hear only to have the next person screaming at the top of their lungs and making me deaf 😂 I gave it a try for all 3 new format episodes hoping some kinks would be worked out and maybe we would get a little more interesting content as you worked your way through the changes, but I can’t do it anymore I’m out. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! 😢

Miss the old format and dating content but rating it a 5 anyway because Jared is the best.