Podcast Summary: Best Friends with Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata
Episode: Nicole and Sasheer Revisit The Slap
Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Headgum
Episode Overview
In this lively and unscripted episode, Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata catch up on all things friendship, everyday weirdness, and pop culture. The main theme weaves through personal stories of awkward run-ins (both with Amazon drivers and overripe refrigerators), passionate rants about the decline of physical stores and Amazon’s dominance, the importance of movement for happiness, and why some moments in pop culture (i.e., "the slap") leave a permanent mark. The episode is peppered with signature humor, rapid-fire thoughts, and as always, the duo’s genuine friendship. Listener questions on friendship boundaries, politics in relationships, and reflecting on the infamous Will Smith/Chris Rock Oscars "slap" provide structure and fuel deeper takes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Everyday Awkwardness and Intrusive Thoughts
- Nicole shares a story about being startled by an Amazon delivery man who tried (and failed) to reassure her by whispering “don’t be scared.”
- Nicole: “The scariest thing you could say is don’t be scared.” (02:10)
- Sasheer recounts an eerie subway encounter, leading to both discussing “intrusive thoughts” and the difficulty of navigating unexpected, unsettling social moments.
- They reflect on their tendency to trip or bump into things, linking it to distraction and possible "witchy" intuition.
2. Moon Ceremonies and Self-Reflection
- Nicole and Sasheer discuss their friend group’s new moon ceremonies, where they journal, burn things they want to release, and manifest intentions together.
- Sasheer: “It’s very wishy, but also very nice.” (06:34)
- Nicole jokes about using a “ceramic pancake from HomeGoods” as a cauldron.
- The practice of journaling about goals and blocks is encouraged as a form of self-exploration and therapy.
3. The Decline of Physical Stores and The Amazon Rant
- Both hosts bemoan the closure of physical retail, specifically for plus-size clothing, and discuss the irreplaceable value of trying on clothes in person.
- Nicole: “We used to be a proper society where we did this all the time.” (07:50)
- “Jeff Bezos is the devil… They ruined Toys R Us. All I know is they ruined Jeffrey—my fun giraffe friend.” (09:13)
- They note the misperception of online "deals" vs. reality, and lament places for kids to just be kids (e.g., discovery zones and McDonald's play areas).
4. Moving Your Body and Feeling Good
- Nicole reluctantly admits the positive impact of working out:
- “Every time I work out, I feel great, even though I hate it.” (11:05)
- The duo sets 2026 fitness goals: Nicole wants to learn a back handspring; Sasheer wants to master a handstand.
5. Food Tangents: Bananas, Frozen Foods, and Goat Encounters
- Hilarious miscommunication occurs over frozen vs. fresh bananas in smoothies, exposing lifestyle differences.
- Nicole describes a nasty fridge incident:
- “Opened my refrigerator... something was afoot in there. It was sick…stinking up the whole house.” (15:07)
- The duo spirals into whether they've met goats and share petting zoo memories.
6. Thrifting, Overconsumption, and Clothing Restraint
- Both hosts pledge to buy less clothing, especially new, and focus on thrifting.
- Nicole’s “creamy sisters” bit (cream jumpsuits/turtlenecks) gets called out as particularly gross.
- They both reflect on purchasing regrets, especially online (Amazon) versus the joy of finding something unexpectedly perfect in a thrift store.
- “Everything I want is already in existence.” (32:58)
7. Economic Frustrations & Wistful Socialism
- Nicole and Sasheer propose whimsical solutions for the economy:
- “Stop artificial inflation, bring back physical stores, and cap how much CEOs can make… redistribute it to your workers. Am I a socialist?” (36:06)
- Calls for free college and affordable housing.
8. Listener Questions
a. Friendship Betrayal Over Canceled Trip (50:00)
- Listener asks if she’s wrong to end a friendship after getting ditched for a trip.
- Nicole: “Be mad. That’s wild. She lied.” (50:52)
- Sasheer: “Do you think maybe they didn’t even buy the ticket?” (51:35)
- Both agree the listener is justified, suggesting the friend may not value the friendship.
b. Best Friend’s Republican Boyfriend (53:12)
- A listener worries her best friend is dating a Republican while she is LGBTQ+.
- Nicole: “If you are not politically aligned with me…it’s not like we’re enemies, but you do have a vested interest in my life being worse.” (55:41)
- Sasheer: “Or is at least complacent…which we also don’t know.” (55:59)
- Advice: Have a candid but non-accusatory conversation; values misalignment is not trivial.
c. "The Slap" Revisited (60:00)
- Five-year reflection on Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars.
- Nicole: “It’s still peak television…nothing has topped it.” (61:14)
- Sasheer: “I’m still concerned. I don’t think anything good has come from the slap.” (62:00)
- Both reflect on its lasting impact, with Nicole longing to time-travel back to experience it live.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Amazon/American Retail:
- “We used to be a proper society where we did this all the time.” — Nicole (07:50)
- “Jeff Bezos is the devil…They ruined Toys R Us.” — Nicole (09:13)
- On Being Startled:
- “The scariest thing you could say is don’t be scared.” — Nicole (02:10)
- On Physical Activity:
- “Every time I spend a day in the sun, I feel great.” — Nicole (11:00)
- On Overconsumption/Minimalism:
- “Everything I want is already in existence.” — Nicole (32:58)
- “Technically, anything can be finger food if you want it to be.” — Nicole (28:13)
- On The Slap:
- “It is still peak television. It’s still one of the best pop culture moments we’ve had.” — Nicole (61:14)
- “I’m still concerned. I don’t think anything good has come from the slap.” — Sasheer (62:00)
- “If I could time travel, that’s where I’m going.” — Nicole (63:39)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:55 – Nicole’s run-in with an Amazon delivery man
- 03:10 – Nicole’s musings on being pushed on the subway
- 05:11 – Both declare themselves “witches” and discuss moon ceremonies
- 07:16 – The state of physical retail and Amazon rant
- 11:00 – On exercise and feeling good
- 13:20 – Bananas, smoothies, and miscommunication
- 15:08 – The rotten fridge episode
- 31:12 – "Creamy sisters" and online shopping regrets
- 36:06 – Brainstorming how to fix the economy
- 50:52 – Listener Q1: Dealing with a flaky friend
- 55:41 – Listener Q2: Friend is dating a Republican
- 61:14 – "The Slap" — a five-year retrospective
Tone and Style
The episode is loose, funny, conversational, and laced with inside jokes (“creamy sisters,” “call me Roger”) and the hosts’ signature affection for and ribbing of one another. Both Nicole and Sasheer are honest and unfiltered, blending comedy with moments of vulnerability and real talk — especially around friendship, personal boundaries, and the larger state of the world. Their rapport is the soul of the show.
Summary for Non-Listeners
This episode of "Best Friends" finds Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata riffing on the weirdness of everyday encounters, bemoaning the decay of “real world” retail, and sharing their takes on friendship, pop culture, and society at large. With plenty of off-the-cuff humor, they answer listener questions (including the long-awaited update on "The Slap"), encourage self-reflection, and gently roast each other through stories and callbacks. Above all, their bond and wit make for a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming listen about what it means to navigate adulthood with your best friend by your side.