Yowei Can't Speak Bro

Yowei Can't Speak Bro

From Proxy with Yowei Shaw by Y3 Productions

May 19, 2026 · 52 min

About this episode

Yowei explores the challenges of communicating with her husband's best friend, who speaks 'bro', and learns the nuances of bro banter.

The case of the podcast host who can't speak bro. For the past twelve years, Yowei has been trying — and failing — to have a normal conversation with her husband's best friend. It's not for lack of goodwill. But somehow, every time, they can't find a rhythm. Yowei's theory: he speaks bro, and she doesn't know how. In this episode, Yowei finds a proxy bro and gets a crash course in bro banter — the hidden rules and emotional logic behind the joking, shit-talking, and conversations that can last for hours without a single life update. From the episode: — Jason Stewart — podcaster, DJ, and co-host of How Long Gone . Follow him on Instagram and X @themjeans. — Scott Kiesling — professor of linguistics at the University of Pittsburgh, whose work explores masculinity and how men use talk to build relationships and their identities. Learn more at sfkiesling.com . New to Proxy? Try Bisexual Wife Guy for a classic case, or The First Ever Extrovert-Introvert Cage Match for another case about what happens when friends have different ideas of connection. For episode liner notes, show gossip, and dispatches from the emotions beat, get our free newsletter File Under Feelings at proxyhq.org…

People in this episode

Host: Yowei Shaw

Guests: Jason Stewart, Scott Kiesling

Topics covered

  • communication
  • masculinity
  • bro culture
  • relationships
  • linguistics

Keywords

  • bro culture
  • communication
  • masculinity
  • linguistics
  • relationships

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: How Long Gone, University of Pittsburgh, File Under Feelings, proxyhq.org, proxypodcast.com

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