Podcast Summary: Best Friends with Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata

Episode: "Sasheer Loves Yuzu" (September 3, 2025)

Overview

In this lively and laugh-filled episode, Nicole and Sasheer welcome actor and writer Owen Thiele as their guest. The trio dives into tangents about package theft, insomnia, quirky neighbor drama, their love of citrus, pop culture generational gaps, concert etiquette, car troubles, and the enduring quirks of best friendship. True to the show’s spirit, it’s a celebration of hilarious overshares and highlights the special chemistry only best friends—and fun new friends—can have.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Owen Thiele and Hollywood Humility (02:10–06:07)

• Nicole and Sasheer gush over Owen’s recent TV work on Adults and Overcompensating, playfully dissect IMDb "star meter" rankings, and share stories of friends with blink-and-you-miss-it credits.
  • “IMDb star meter goes a little up because of the...” – Owen (03:22)
  • “Who’s rating it? What does it mean?” – Nicole (03:31)
• Owen describes the real-life blossoming of friendship with his Adults cast, joking how he’s become besties with strangers thanks to being marooned together in Toronto.

2. The Great Smoothie Debacle & Postmates Woes (08:38–14:55)

• Owen confesses he was late because he postmated (and then lost) a smoothie, revealing a history of severe insomnia (“I sleep two hours a night” – Owen, 08:57) and recent package theft.
• The “across the street neighbor” gets accused of lifting his long-awaited delivery and his prized, brand-sent shorts.
  • Notable quote: “I saw my across the street neighbor in the same blue shorts.” – Owen (12:28)
• Nicole and Sasheer offer covert surveillance ideas: “I’ve seen it on Amazon, it’s a rock with a camera in it.” – Nicole (13:00)
• Hilarious side stories about neighbors stealing food and accidental hook-ups with food thieves.

3. Lukewarm Water, Digestion, and the Magic of Yuzu (15:28–19:35)

• Sasheer shares her distaste for cold drinks and her sensitivity to cold due to perfect teeth and singing, leading to a niche “lukewarm water suicide” recipe.
• Owen raves about discovering yuzu lemonade, which spirals into a bit about not really knowing what yuzu actually is.
  • “Yuzu. Love it. Don’t know where it comes from.” – Owen (18:36)
• Nicole and Owen marvel over “friend collector” personalities and childhood friends.
  • “I’m a friend collector. I think I keep them. You’re not leaving my side forever and ever.” – Owen (19:58)

4. "Why Were You Late?" Segment (20:47–24:00)

• Sasheer blames jet lag from a Japan trip and general Monday tardiness.
• Nicole’s tale involves waiting for hot water repair, taking “whore baths” (bird baths), being boxed in by work trucks, and getting into a full street horn-honking war—complete with phone-waving and threats of being recorded.
  • “What are you gonna do with that information? Sue me. We didn’t get into an accident. I’ll kill you.” – Nicole (24:25)

5. Navigating Social Annoyance & Grocery Store Line Etiquette (24:29–27:30)

• Conversation on public confrontation: Owen is non-confrontational, Nicole actively polices poor driver behavior (and tells off grocery line cutters).
• Darkly comic moment: Owen drops a $10 glass bottle of heavy whipping cream while being too polite to call out rudeness.

6. Home Cooking, Orange Trees, and (Not) Juicing (27:24–28:05)

• Sasheer has an orange tree and laments the minuscule juice yield. General agreement that "homemade" is overrated.

7. Age, TikTok, and "Feeling Old" in Pop Culture (28:34–34:44)

• Owen’s age shock (28), and Nicole playfully laments turning 39 and being “disconnected from things.”
• An extended bit on TikTok trends, algorithm gaps, pop stars they’re surprised to have never heard of (Somber, Ethel Cain, Sabrina Carpenter), and the phenomenon of being “chronically online” yet missing what’s trending.
  • “I do not like TikTok. I don’t.” – Nicole (31:42)

8. Concerts, Dress Codes, and Lady Gaga (35:35–39:59)

• Ruminating over how concert fashion has changed: “I think Lady Gaga could have done us a solid and told us what to wear.” – Sasheer (36:59)
• Mutual love for live shows, Gaga, and the absurdity of being told to sit at concerts (“If I give you some popcorn, will you sit down?” – Nicole’s story, 38:07).
• Everyone agrees Joanne is underrated, and country Lady Gaga is “on board” with the group.

9. Vehicles, Parking Drama, and LA Life (45:00–51:59)

• Nicole and Sasheer trade car and parking war stories—ranging from impounded BMWs (Owen got 38 tickets: “I thought I really thought I was paying them” – Owen, 49:40), registrations sent to demolished houses, to “I once had temporary plates for four years.”
• Hilarity ensues over "red is a suggestion" lawbreaking (#relateable LA content).

10. Parental Bonds, Only Child Energy, and Best Friendship Origins (53:35–62:05)

• Owen talks being an only child and “friend collector,” with a mother he’s “obsessed” with.
• Nicole and Sasheer recount formative moments with their parents, regale stories about siblings, and analyze how family dynamics shape friend relationships.
• Nicole’s mother once took her to Dairy Queen after a school suspension for a “threat” which was more comic than criminal.
  • “I told a girl I’d kill her. I’d sit on her and kill her. My mother threw her head back, laughed, and then we went to Dairy Queen.” – Nicole (55:28)

11. The Nicole/Sasheer Friendship Story (59:34–62:22)

• Nicole tells a vivid story of first meeting Sasheer: “She was wearing gold pants and a big fro and was so funny. And I was like, but she’s pretty too. This isn’t fair… I need to be her friend.” (60:11)
• Both marvel at the immediate sense of “this is my assignment” in forming a lifelong best friendship.
• Anecdotes of impulsive behavior, including a memorable incident where Nicole threw a piece of bacon at a restaurant wall due to salad disappointment.

12. ADHD, Edibles, and Freaky Friend Adventures (62:29–66:41)

• ADHD/ADD talk, with shared tales of being medicated and the varied effects of weed on their bodies (“The only time I took an edible, I ended up in the Coachella medical tent.” – Owen, 63:20)
• Remembering a chaotic, giggle-filled airport run post-edible: “Muffins are good. Yeah, muffins are good.”

13. Chili’s, Outback Steakhouse, and Comfort Food (66:41–67:55)

• After all the adventure, nothing says “friendship” like a craving for a Bloomin’ Onion or Chili’s fajitas.

14. Episode Wrap-Up and Plugs (67:55–68:20)

• Owen plugs his hit FX and Hulu show Adults and his podcast “In Your Dreams.”
• Everyone expresses mutual affection and hint at a cross-guest appearance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I’m a friend collector. I think I keep them. You’re not leaving my side forever and ever.” – Owen (19:58)
• “What are you gonna do with that information? Sue me. We didn’t get into an accident. I’ll kill you.” – Nicole (24:25)
• “Yuzu. Love it. Don’t know where it comes from.” – Owen (18:36)
• “I told a girl I’d kill her. I’d sit on her and kill her. My mother threw her head back, laughed, and then we went to Dairy Queen.” – Nicole (55:28)
• “She was wearing gold pants and a big fro and was so funny. And I was like, but she’s pretty too. This isn’t fair… I need to be her friend.” – Nicole (60:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introductions + IMDb/TV Talk: 02:10–06:07
• Smoothie theft, insomnia, neighbor drama: 08:38–14:55
• Yuzu, water temp, and digestion: 15:28–19:35
• "Why were you late?" and LA mornings: 20:47–24:00
• Aggressive driving, street confrontations: 24:29–28:05
• Age, TikTok, and missing trends: 28:34–34:44
• Concerts, Gaga, and dress codes: 35:35–39:59
• Vehicles, parking, impoundment: 45:00–51:59
• Parental stories and best friendship: 53:35–62:05
• ADHD/Edible adventures: 62:29–66:41
• Comfort food, Chili’s, Outback: 66:41–67:55
• Plugs and closing: 67:55–68:20

Final Thoughts

This episode is a perfect snapshot of Nicole and Sasheer’s signature blend of humor and heart. Their dynamic with Owen Thiele brings out playful storytelling, chaotic detours, and a clear message: best friendship is a wild, loyal, and laughter-filled adventure—no matter how many parking tickets or package thieves life throws your way.