Podcast Summary: Handsome – Episode Featuring Alison Brie on Changing Your Personality

Podcast Information:

• Title: Handsome
• Hosts: Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, Mae Martin
• Description: A comedic trio tackles a wide array of questions each week, sharing stories and insights in a lighthearted manner.
• Episode: Alison Brie asks about changing your personality
• Release Date: July 15, 2025

Introduction to the Topic

In this episode of Handsome, the hosts—Mae Martin, Fortune Feimster, and Tig Notaro—delve into a thought-provoking question posed by their friend, actress Alison Brie. Brie's query centers on personal transformation: “Was there ever a time in your life where you consciously decided to try on a different personality and how did it go?” This prompts a candid discussion among the hosts about their own experiences with altering their personas and the impact it had on their personal and professional lives.

Hosts Share Personal Experiences

Mae Martin's Summer Camp Transformation (05:17 – 29:46) Mae recounts her time at summer camp during her teenage years, where she attempted to adopt a more "femme" persona to fit in with her peers. She explains, “I decided to pretend... maple Sugar sounds kind of like a cool femme name... I would maybe be a cheerleader or something.” Mae reflects on how this conscious shift led her to lie about aspects of her life, such as faking a boyfriend, highlighting the pressures to conform during formative years.

Fortune Feimster's College and Self-Discovery (37:19 – 41:55) Fortune discusses her journey during college, where she experimented with different identities in search of community and self-identity. She shares, “I thought, well, if I do that, then I can have... create a family for myself one day.” Fortune explains that her time immersing herself in religious groups and theater helped her realize her true self, especially after coming out. She emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, stating, “I know myself better than I ever have and I am so much clearer on what I want.”

Tig Notaro's Evolution in Comedy (42:07 – 47:56) Tig reflects on her early days in comedy, inspired by performers like Paula Poundstone and Mitch Hedberg. She admits experimenting with different comedic styles and personas, aiming to emulate her influences while developing her unique voice. Tig mentions, “I was just trying to be like Bill Hicks or whatever when I was like 14.” She highlights the journey of finding her authentic comedic style through various explorations.

Alison Brie's Insights (24:31 – 61:32) Alison Brie, the guest for this episode, shares her own experience of transforming her personality during a semester abroad in Glasgow. She describes, “I made a conscious decision to just have a more free personality... I realized that that actually is kind of my truest self.” Alison emphasizes how embracing a more authentic version of herself led to profound personal growth and lasting changes in her outlook.

Insights and Discussions

Fluidity of Personality The hosts discuss the natural evolution of personality, noting that it's common to try on different facets of oneself during various life stages. Mae muses, “Maybe we should all be a bit more fluid about our personalities... you go, I'm really sarcastic today.” This perspective encourages embracing change as a healthy aspect of personal development.

Influence of Community and Relationships Fortune highlights how communities and relationships significantly shape one's identity. She shares her experience of seeking belonging through religious groups and how it initially led her away from her true self, illustrating the delicate balance between fitting in and maintaining authenticity.

Impact of External Environments Tig and the other hosts touch upon how external environments, such as college or career settings, provide opportunities to experiment with different personas. They acknowledge that these environments are fertile grounds for self-discovery but also caution against losing oneself in the process.

Authenticity vs. Conformity A recurring theme is the tension between wanting to fit in and striving to remain true to oneself. The hosts agree that while experimenting with different personalities can be beneficial, it's crucial to eventually align with one's authentic self to achieve genuine happiness and fulfillment.

Concluding Thoughts

The episode underscores the importance of self-awareness and the ongoing journey of personal growth. By sharing their stories, Mae, Fortune, and Tig illustrate that while trying on different personalities can be a natural part of life, ultimately embracing one's true self leads to greater satisfaction and stability. Alison Brie's contribution reinforces this message, showcasing how a conscious shift towards authenticity can have lasting positive effects.

Notable Quotes with Attributions and Timestamps

• Mae Martin (05:17): “Maple Sugar sounds kind of like a cool femme name... I would maybe be a cheerleader or something.”

• Fortune Feimster (37:19): “When you're young, you're still kind of trying to find yourself, so you have to sort of try on different hats to see, like, well, who am I?”

• Tig Notaro (42:07): “I was just trying to be like Bill Hicks or whatever when I was like 14.”

• Alison Brie (24:31): “I realized that that actually is kind of my truest self and my truest personality.”

• Mae Martin (50:54): “We tell ourselves so young... like, I'm bad at math... and all. And then that's like a little coffin for yourself, you know, you gotta break out of it.”

• Fortune Feimster (51:13): “There's something to be said for the single life in terms of really being yourself.”

• Alison Brie (58:34): “Once I did it this semester... I have my voice. So I can do whatever I want to do.”

Conclusion

This episode of Handsome offers an engaging and heartfelt exploration of personal identity and the conscious efforts to change one's personality. Through relatable anecdotes and honest conversations, the hosts provide listeners with valuable insights into the complexities of self-discovery and the significance of authenticity in one’s life journey.