Podcast Summary: Handsome Episode – "Abby Wambach Asks About Getting Back to Yourself"

Podcast Information

• Title: Handsome
• Host/Author: Headgum
• Description: "Handsome" is a podcast from comedians Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin. Every week, the handsome hosts field a question from a friend and attempt to answer it together, covering every subject you could think of. Along the way, Tig, Fortune, and Mae tell plenty of stories and just generally have a ridiculous time.
• Episode: Abby Wambach asks about getting back to yourself
• Release Date: October 29, 2024

1. Introduction and Host Banter (01:42 – 03:08)

The episode kicks off with the familiar introductions of the hosts:

• Mae Martin (01:44): "Welcome to the Handsome Pod. I'm one of your three handsome hosts, May Martin, joined as always by Fortune."
• Fortune Feimster (01:52): "Feinster and Tig Notaro."
• Tig Notaro (01:57): "Tig Notaro."

The hosts engage in playful banter about their names and ponder the uniqueness of combinations of words that have never been thought of before.

• Mae Martin (02:18): "Do you think that's true? I sometimes try to think of a sentence that's never been said or thought."

2. Halloween Plans and Costume Discussions (03:24 – 13:07)

As Halloween approaches, the hosts discuss their plans and costumes, blending humor with personal anecdotes.

• Tig Notaro (03:24): "Did you guys know that Halloween is upon us?"
• Mae Martin (03:35): "Do you have something for Biggie picked out?"

They share stories about past group costumes, with Tig recalling dressing as a California raisin and a bunch of ravens during Oktoberfest in Munich.

• Tig Notaro (09:26): "For Halloween, I'm going to wear the silly lederhosen. And this will be part of that costume."

A humorous exchange about Tig's hat ensues:

• Fortune Feimster (10:20): "Honestly, I don't like it. If I'm totally honest with you, I don't like it."
• Mae Martin (10:50): "I think the green complements the blonde. It's like almost a Peter Pan."

The hosts announce a costume competition, encouraging listeners to send in their "handsome" costumes for a chance to win prizes.

• Mae Martin (11:25): "I feel like this. It feels manipulative. But I do want to offer, like, a prize to the best handsome costume because I really want people to do it."

3. Tig’s Story of Getting “Iced” on Stage (13:07 – 18:40)

Tig shares a personal and comedic story from one of her shows in Des Moines where she was “iced” by a fan named Linda.

• Tig Notaro (15:54): "She handed me this. She goes, 'You've been iced.'"
• Fortune Feimster (16:10): "This is what sort of circus?"

The incident involved being handed a Smirnoff Ice and being encouraged to quickly drink it on stage, highlighting Tig's humorous struggle with the situation.

• Tig Notaro (16:10): "I said, 'What does that mean?' And they said, 'You have to get on your knees and drink this.' I'm like, I'm not getting on my knees."

4. Introduction of Abby Wambach’s Question (28:26 – 31:05)

The hosts introduce Abby Wambach, a renowned athlete, as today's questioner. Abby, along with her wife Glennon Doyle, poses the question:

• Abby Wambach (31:05): "I want to know some of the methods that you three employ and how to get back to yourself."

5. Hosts’ Strategies for Reconnecting with Themselves (35:27 – 58:43)

Fortune Feimster (35:34 – 40:28): Fortune discusses the importance of embracing silliness and reconnecting with core friendships to find balance.

• Fortune Feimster (37:18): "Who am I? And I'm like, oh, I love hanging out with friends, talking, being silly that I love so, so much."

She emphasizes taking walks without distractions to clear the mind.

• Fortune Feimster (39:55): "I like to just take a walk. No headphones, nothing. Have my head clear. Just look around, look up."

Mae Martin (35:27 – 46:17): Mae shares how engaging in improv and surrounding herself with playful friends helps her reconnect.

• Mae Martin (45:09): "We're doing improv tonight, and I just know I'm going to just laugh on stage. I can't even hold it in."

She recounts a story where a friend’s unexpected behavior lightened her mood during a tough time.

• Mae Martin (42:40): "She comes back into the room completely naked and runs around the kitchen island."

Tig Notaro (35:27 – 44:44): Tig highlights the importance of friendships that allow her to be herself and the therapeutic effect of simply doing nothing.

• Tig Notaro (44:10): "Just chilling and not doing anything and not having anyone expect anything of me."

She values time spent with core friends where she can laugh and be her authentic self without external pressures.

• Tig Notaro (42:40): "When I'm feeling a little uncentered... I have some of those core friends who I can be silly with."

6. Abby Wambach’s Advice on Getting Back to Yourself (53:25 – 58:43)

Abby Wambach & Glennon Doyle (53:25 – 58:43): Abby shares her personal methods for reconnecting with herself amidst the chaos of life:

• Glennon Doyle (56:27): "Nap. I nap almost every single day."
• Glennon Doyle (56:30): "Take a sauna. And really, I think that most things that I'm feeling... can be helped with a big glass of water."

The hosts discuss the practicality and challenges of implementing such routines:

• Fortune Feimster (56:39): "I disagree... I am not a napper."
• Mae Martin (57:00): "I just want to chill. I don't want to do anything... being nothing."

They explore various self-care techniques, acknowledging that different strategies work for different people.

7. Support for Women’s Sports and Closing Remarks (58:43 – 62:38)

Tig emphasizes the importance of supporting women's sports and recognizing the dedication of female athletes like Abby.

• Tig Notaro (58:06): "Please move to Iowa. If you move to Iowa, I think you're going to want to continue this podcast because you might get a bright spot on my calendar."

She passionately encourages listeners to continue supporting women’s sports:

• Tig Notaro (59:01): "But if you're not Italian American you can listen to I guess I suppose."

The episode wraps up with final thoughts and promotional messages:

• May Martin (60:38): "Dress like us for."
• Fortune Feimster (62:25): "Subscribe to the Chicken Parmesan on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Pocket Cast, or wherever you get your podcasts."

Notable Quotes

1. Mae Martin (May Martin) on Unique Sentences (02:29):

   "12 minuscule lumps of peanut brittle miraculously merged."

2. Fortune Feimster (Fortune Feimster) on Personal Reconnection (37:18):

   "Who am I? And I'm like, oh, I love hanging out with friends, talking, being silly that I love so, so much."

3. Tig Notaro (Tig Notaro) on Being "Iced" (16:11):

   "Do you think I got assassinated? Oh, my God. Do you think that there are a lot of lesbians still rocking fedoras?"

4. Glennon Doyle (Abby’s Wife) on Self-Care (56:27):

   "Nap. I nap almost every single day."

5. Tig Notaro (Tig Notaro) on Supporting Women’s Sports (59:01):

   "But if you're not Italian American you can listen to I guess I suppose."

Key Takeaways

• Balancing Festivities and Personal Life: The hosts intertwine their Halloween preparations with personal stories, showcasing their humorous and relatable personalities.

• Humorous Anecdotes: Tig’s story about being “iced” on stage serves as a blend of comedy and personal experience, illustrating the unpredictable nature of live performances.

• Personal Growth and Self-Care: In response to Abby Wambach’s question, each host shares unique strategies for reconnecting with themselves, emphasizing the importance of friendships, silliness, and simple self-care routines.

• Support for Women in Sports: The hosts advocate for continued support and recognition of women’s sports, highlighting the achievements of athletes like Abby Wambach.

• Engaging with Listeners: The episode encourages listener participation through costume competitions and promotes their respective projects and merchandise towards the end.

Conclusion

This episode of "Handsome" delves into the multifaceted ways the hosts navigate personal challenges and festivities, all while maintaining their signature humor and camaraderie. From Halloween antics to heartfelt discussions on self-reconnection, Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin offer listeners both laughs and insightful advice, making it a compelling listen for those seeking both entertainment and inspiration.