Best Friends with Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata

Episode: “Sasheer Has 20/20 Vision”
Release Date: February 4, 2026
Podcast Network: Headgum

Episode Overview

In this vibrant episode, Nicole and Sasheer dive into the joys of friendship, self-improvement, fashion, the quirks of buying vintage, the absurdities of the online world, and the realities of modern technology. True to the spirit of “Best Friends,” their conversation weaves heartfelt stories, playful roasts, and candid insights about mental health, personal growth, and the importance of showing up for loved ones (even when it’s hard).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fashion Adventures & Vintage Finds (00:20–07:30)

• Nicole’s Clothing Cleanout: Nicole details her recent efforts to cull her wardrobe and resell pristine, cared-for clothes. She expresses pride in her clothing maintenance.
  • “I've collected so much clothing over the years that, like, I don't wear all of it a ton ... Even those I take very good care of.” – Nicole (00:53)
• Vintage Store Obsession: Nicole shares her discovery of Catnip Collective in Burbank and her newfound addiction to vintage jewelry, especially watches and rings.
• Allergic Reactions for Fashion: Despite being allergic to cats, Nicole braves a store with a resident feline to spend hours thrifting.
• Jewelry Cleaning Rituals: Inspired by her purchases, Nicole adopts a more rigorous earring-cleaning regime and discusses how to keep vintage jewelry sparkling.
• The “Creamy Sisters” Persona: Nicole and Sasheer revel in their shared love for “cream-on-cream” outfits, joking about forming the “Creamy Sisters”—two pals in matching cream turtlenecks and overalls.
  • “We are the Creamy Sisters ... That's just the Creamy Sister sounds so gross.” – Nicole & Sasheer (08:26)
• Dyeing Old Clothes with Sway: Sasheer talks about extending the life of favorite garments with custom dye jobs to hide stains, much to Nicole’s delight.

2. Spreading (and Curbing) Online Misinformation (08:52–12:30)

• Instagram Misinformation Mishaps: Nicole admits, with some embarrassment, to sharing “medical advice” from an Instagram story (“two shots of tequila will fix gluten exposure”), only to realize it’s fake news.
• The Social Media Effect: They reflect on how the internet collapses distinctions between different kinds of learners, potentially amplifying misinformation.
  • “It is wild how like the dumb shit gets spread faster than, like, real shit.” – Nicole (11:07)
• Call for Critical Thinking: Both agree on the need to pause, evaluate, and fact-check, especially as AI-generated and misleading content becomes more pervasive.
  • “Let's use those critical thinking skills ... Let's remember what it's called and use it.” – Sasheer (11:40)

3. The Library and Rekindling a Love for Reading (12:30–18:57)

• Library Evangelism: Nicole champions a return to libraries and actual books as a way to escape the unreliability of social media. Sasheer proposes finding the prettiest library in LA—ideally, with trees and waterfalls indoors!
  • “We got to go to the library. Right after we go on our watch date, and the Creamy sisters are going to the library.” – Nicole (12:36)
• Heat at Rivalry Fandom: Discussing the popular (and queer-positive) series “Heat at Rivalry” by Rachel Reid, Nicole and Sasheer celebrate non-traumatic, joyful queer storytelling, the emotional resonance of certain scenes, and the desire for more media that centers LGBTQ joy.
  • “This was just joy. This was pure fucking joy. And it was, like, sexy, but not too sexy.” – Nicole (15:22)
• Importance of Reading (and Streamers Encouraging It): They praise streamer Kai for reading live on stream and spark optimism for a coming ‘return to literacy.’

4. Technology: Food Robots and Self-Driving Cars (22:25–28:44)

• Empathy for Food Delivery Robots: Nicole describes feeling sorry for a food delivery robot destroyed by a train and muses about how robots’ ‘faces’ elicit compassion.
• Autonomous Delivery Disasters: The duo joke about what food robots might “feel” and imagine a world run by sentient delivery carts.
• Self-Driving Car Experiences: Sasheer recounts her discomfort in a Waymo (autonomous vehicle), and Nicole shares a harrowing anecdote about an ex-boyfriend tricking a Tesla’s self-driving system with a water bottle.
  • “You trying to die out here? That is really dangerous ...” – Nicole (27:06)
• Cautious Embrace of Tech: Both express wariness about fully automated transport, noting the absence of human oversight feels unsettling.

5. Driving Habits and Car Choices (28:44–32:13)

• Car Preferences: Nicole enthusiastically describes her love for small cars and the joy of squeezing into tiny parking spots, while Sasheer prefers roomy vehicles perfect for carpooling friends.
• “Off-Road” Aspirations: Nicole jokes about never actually off-roading, despite her Wrangler being built for adventures.

6. Weather, Rainy Seasons, and Home Repairs (31:15–33:16)

• On LA Rainy Season: The pair lament the length of rainy season in Los Angeles upon learning it runs November through April.
  • “That’s almost half a damn year ... Five months. That’s wild.” – Nicole (32:37)
• Home Repairs: Both need to fix rain-related house problems and swap home improvement gripes.

7. BuzzFeed Quiz: Mystical Beings (33:18–53:03)

• Whimsical Quiz Play: Nicole and Sasheer immerse themselves in an elaborate, whimsical BuzzFeed quiz to discover their ‘mystical’ identities.
• Highlights:
  • Nicole is named a mermaid: “You are naturally alluring, strong, and curious, and you absolutely love water. I do. I’m a water baby. Buzzfeed got it right.” (50:34)
  • Sasheer is a fairy: “You are airy, kind, considerate, and always have fun when you are in nature. That’s true.” (51:12)
• Vision Exercises: Sasheer demonstrates her attempts to improve her eyesight, leading to comic commentary about crossing eyes. The title of the episode, “Sasheer Has 20/20 Vision,” refers to this lively exchange.
  • “I have 2020, and I want to keep it that way.” – Sasheer (51:27)

8. Oddball Tangents & Friendship Roasting (53:05–62:54)

• Helen Keller Conspiracies: Nicole pokes fun at wild internet theories questioning Helen Keller’s legitimacy.
• Listener Question – Friendship Roasting:
  • [56:46] “Kevin” asks about being ostracized after playful roasts with friends.
  • Nicole and Sasheer dissect group dynamics, discuss how race (being the only BiPOC) can skew perceptions, and encourage honest conversations about boundaries:
    • “It seems like maybe our humor as a group is not cohesive ... What if we just don't talk to each other like that?” – Sasheer (59:49)
    • Nicole confesses to adjusting her own roasting habits after Sasheer pointed out one-sidedness in their friend group.
    • “Thank you for bringing it up ... That was on me to be like, oh, I take it a little too far sometimes.” – Nicole (61:16)

9. Listener Question – Showing Up for Difficult Family Events (63:19–67:52)

• [63:19] A listener wonders if she should attend Christmas with her partner’s family (and his ex), despite exhaustion and dislike for the holiday.
• Advice: Nicole and Sasheer stress the value of compromise, encouraging the listener to try showing up, even briefly, balancing self-care and family.
  • “There’s always a way to compromise and not fully abandon what you want, but also give a little bit of what other people are asking of you.” – Sasheer (65:10)
  • “Trying is better than not.” – Nicole (67:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Fashion & Cleaning: “I'm a collector, darling ... I didn't wear it because I was running late. And I've been, like, wearing all my rings and stuff as of late, if I have the time.” – Nicole (2:30)
• On Vintage Shopping: “I want someone to go, it's good. And I go, is it? Look me and tell me this is good. Because Amazon be lying to your face.” – Nicole (3:46)
• On Online Misinformation: “It's wild how like the dumb shit gets spread faster than, like, real shit.” – Nicole (11:07)
• On Library Love: “The library should take that slogan—Isn’t anything a library if you just have a book with you?” – Nicole (13:31)
• On Queer Joyful Media: “This was just joy. This was pure fucking joy.” – Nicole (15:22)
• On Food Robots: “Do I have empathy for a robot?” – Nicole (22:53)
• On Eye Exercises: “You do have 20/20, but we corneas—which we don’t like that wording.” – Nicole (51:29)
• On Friendship Roasting: “Sometimes when you give someone an adjustment or like a criticism, it feels like you're attacking them as a person.” – Nicole (61:16)
• On Compromise: “There’s always a way to compromise ... not fully abandon what you want, but also give a little bit of what other people are asking.” – Sasheer (65:10)
• Sign-Off Banter: “The Creamy sisters take LA!” – Sasheer (30:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment Description | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Detailed vintage fashion chat, jewelry care, Creamy Sisters | 00:20–08:20| | Online misinformation & critical thinking | 08:52–12:30| | Libraries, books, “Heat at Rivalry” discussion | 12:30–18:57| | Tech: Food robots & self-driving cars | 22:25–28:44| | Car preferences and driving | 28:44–32:13| | LA weather & rainy season | 31:15–33:16| | BuzzFeed mystical beings quiz & eye exercises | 33:18–53:03| | Listener Q1: Friendship roasting, group dynamics | 56:46–62:54| | Listener Q2: Family events and self-care/compromise | 63:19–67:52| | Final comedic sign-off | 68:15–68:26|

Summary

This episode bursts with Nicole and Sasheer’s signature warmth, authenticity, and quick wit. From the pitfalls of online misinformation to the deeply felt connections of queer love stories, the episode offers laughter, solidarity, and practical wisdom on navigating friendship, technology, and life’s little oddities. The “Creamy Sisters” may just make their LA debut soon, and listeners are left with the message: show up, care for yourself and your people, and don’t be afraid to be a little (or a lot) weird together.