Podcast Summary: "Call It Throuples Therapy Over a ‘Bear-y’, Scary Encounter"

Podcast: Call It What It Is (iHeartPodcasts)
Hosts: Camilla Luddington, Jessica Capshaw
Guest: Matt
Date: October 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is a hilarious, meandering group therapy session revolving around an unexpected bear encounter at Camilla’s house—complete with wild tangents on Bigfoot, domestic debates, and classic best-friend banter. For the first time, "Call It What It Is" welcomes Matt as the third wheel in the usual bestie dynamic, as the trio dissects what it means to face an honest-to-goodness “bear scare” in suburban LA and, naturally, whether Bigfoot could be next.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Throuple Dynamic Emerges

• Camilla introduces Matt (“the third wheel”) as today’s emergency guest—since their week was turned “upside down” by recent events.
• Jessica assures she’ll serve as “therapist/mediator,” keeping the peace between Camilla and Matt (04:00-04:55).

The Bear-y Scary Incident

• Matt’s Perspective:
  • At 5 a.m., their dogs barked loudly. Matt checked the Ring camera and discovered a full-sized bear and subsequently, three cubs in their backyard—“like a circus bear with cubs” (04:42–06:07).
  • Camilla jokes at the outdated “circus bear” reference, sparking playful ribbing from both women.
• Camilla’s Take:
  • Expresses fear the bears might return during her regular early-morning departures, worrying about her safety ("cocaine bear situation") (07:00–07:27, 08:28).
  • Critiques Matt’s “just peek outside before you go” advice, suggesting instead he should address her concerns empathetically and proactively (07:57–09:16).

Notable Quote:

"Why don't I just at 5 a.m. round the corner, see if there's a bear there or not? What am I gonna do? Honestly, if I round the corner and the bear is there with the three babies? Which, by the way, puts them in basically 'cocaine bear' mode. Because they're in protection." — Camilla (08:28)

The Home Depot ‘Bear Defense’ Plan

• Camilla sends Matt to Home Depot for “bear protection.”
  • Matt returns with fence extenders, a “large critter” deterrent (not bear-specific), and a “bear horn” on a keychain.
• Camilla humorously accuses Matt of trying to build a playground for the bear with sand from the kids’ sandbox (which he claims was multitasking).
• Camilla, frustrated by the lack of real solutions, does her own research and blames the bear’s attraction on Matt’s old vegetable garden (“bear buffet”), while Matt blames Camilla’s obsession with decorating for Halloween (“a thousand pumpkins”) (11:35–12:44).

Notable Quotes:

"Do you know what they have at Home Depot to fight against bears? Nothing." — Matt (09:51)
"Unlike Matt, because I care about protecting our family, I did some bear research... They went over the side where somebody started a vegetable garden, aka a bear buffet." — Camilla (11:45–12:11)

When the Bear Made the Local News

• The bear (nicknamed “Yellow 2291”) is identified by its collar as a tracked local animal (4-6 years old, 175 lbs, about 5’10”) (16:56–17:24).
• Incident generates neighborhood buzz; Matt boasts their Ring cam footage is better than the neighbors’ (17:03–18:16).

Bear vs. Bigfoot vs. UFOs

• Discussion spirals into cryptids and conspiracy.
• Matt jokes the bear could be Bigfoot; Camilla—self-proclaimed cryptozoology enthusiast—sincerely lists her belief in Bigfoot, Yetis, and even ponders "ghosts of Bigfoot."
• Camilla provides “facts” (7'3'' tall, size 17-20 feet, reflects light in its eyes, smells bad only 4-15% of the time) (22:30–24:28).

Notable Quotes:

"Do you believe in Bigfoot?" — Matt (19:23)
"I call them 'big feats' because there's more than one... about 30 to 40, I think." — Camilla (20:42–20:55)

Suburban Bears: A Changing Landscape

• Trio discusses why a bear might show up in a non-remote suburb (proximity to wildfires, drought, or food sources like pumpkins and veggie patches).
• Kids in the house are delighted by the bear visit, drawing pictures. Parents are, understandably, less enthused (36:35–36:55).

Relationship Therapy, Side-eyes, and Real Talk

• Matt and Camilla bicker over what true “support” looks like in a relationship and tease each other’s decision-making under pressure (bear defense, Home Depot trips).
• Jessica acts as a calm, sometimes bemused mediator.
• Camilla wants a clear protection “plan,” but Matt—caught unprepared—admits, "I never thought I'd need a plan for this" (39:39–39:45).

Would You Fight a Bear... For Love?

• Hilarious hypothetical: Would Matt physically fight a bear to save Camilla?
• Matt: “I would fight a bear for you... I wouldn’t fight the three cubs, but I’d fight the big one, honestly.” (38:03–39:02)
• Camilla and Jessica doubt his resolve, referencing movies (The Revenant, Midsommar) (39:02–39:11).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Do you want to be right, or do you want to get it right?” — Jessica (09:09)
• “I’m glad you bring that up, Matt, because that’s not the terminology in other countries... Sasquatch is what it’s called in Canada.” — Camilla (21:06)
• “The bear itself made the news in Los Angeles... they actually have a name for the bear.” — Camilla (16:36)
• “We live in an area... there’s a Starbucks down the street... We’re not remote.” — Camilla (34:59–35:12)
• “You have one job, literally... and this is what you want me to do, make a phone call?” — Camilla (38:26)
• “It's all fun and games until you meet a Bigfoot, right?” — Camilla (29:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|--------------------------------------------------| | 03:15 | “Throuple” therapy begins—introducing Matt | | 04:32 | Bear encounter: Matt tells the story | | 08:28 | Camilla’s safety concerns and dramatic retelling | | 09:57 | The quest for bear spray and Home Depot trip | | 11:44 | The “bear buffet” theory | | 16:56 | Bear makes local news | | 19:23 | Bigfoot beliefs—Camilla’s cryptid cred | | 22:30 | Bigfoot “facts” and metrics | | 24:44 | Bigfoot in every US state except Hawaii | | 30:11 | Cryptozoology tangent (Komodo dragon analogy) | | 38:03 | Would Matt fight a bear for Camilla? | | 39:45 | Matt admits he had no real “bear plan” | | 40:52 | Episode wrap and gratitude |

Tone & Dynamics

• Language/Tone: Playful, sarcastic, deadpan, with frequent comic interruptions and affectionate ribbing.
• Dynamic: Fast-paced, free-flowing; Camilla oscillates between serious researcher and theatrical storyteller, Matt is practical-to-the-point-of-absurd, Jessica mediates but relishes the pandemonium.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

• Expect a wild domestic story with plenty of laughs, side arguments, folklore tangents, and heartfelt moments.
• Camilla and Matt provide a candid depiction of how couples react to surprise crises (with plenty of snark and love), while Jessica keeps the peace and pokes gentle fun throughout.
• You’ll leave with:
  • A newfound appreciation for urban wildlife, cryptid “science,” and maybe a checklist of what NOT to do if you encounter a bear in LA.
  • An understanding of why defense plans can spiral into comedy.
  • The enduring, ride-or-die nature of Camilla and Jessica’s friendship.

Next Episode Teaser:
Jessica wants to choose the topic next time (“something more serious”), but until then, if a bear returns… expect a “bear-up” update.