Podcast Summary: Handsome – Pretty Little Episode #34

Episode Information:

• Title: Pretty Little Episode #34
• Release Date: April 11, 2025
• Hosts: Mae Martin, Fortune Feimster
• Absent Host: Tig Notaro

Introduction

In Episode #34 of "Handsome," titled "Pretty Little," hosts Mae Martin and Fortune Feimster engage in their signature witty and heartfelt conversation. Although Tig Notaro is absent for this episode, Mae and Fortune maintain the podcast's lively spirit, seamlessly transitioning between personal anecdotes, humorous banter, and engaging listener interactions. Released on April 11, 2025, this episode delves into everyday topics, from culinary preferences to personal habits, while also addressing audience-submitted questions that spark both laughter and introspection.

Hosts' Banter: Theme Songs and Daily Routines

The episode kicks off with Mae Martin and Fortune Feimster discussing their appreciation for the podcast's theme song. Fortune shares, “I was listening to our theme song and Tig's podcast. Yeah. It doesn't get old for me” (00:53). Mae resonates, adding, “If I'm a fan of a podcast and they randomly change the theme, which happens sometimes, I do not like it” (01:14). This exchange highlights their mutual love for consistency and the comfort that familiar sounds bring.

Transitioning to food, Fortune mentions ordering a club sandwich, sparking a detailed discussion about the perfect club sandwich. Fortune describes hers as having “a thin layer of grilled chicken, crispy bacon, avocado, tomato, lettuce” (01:56), while Mae prefers “sliced turkey on my club… crispy bacon…I want crunchy crunch” (02:01). Their conversation touches on the nuances of making the ideal sandwich, emphasizing the importance of ingredient quality and texture.

Upcoming Tours and Personal Plans

Mae and Fortune then shift focus to their professional lives, discussing upcoming tours and personal plans. Fortune reveals her excitement about performing in Austin, noting, “I'm going one day early to do like an hour of” (03:45), despite feeling apprehensive about performing without new material. Mae shares her plans to visit Disney, albeit with mixed feelings after a previous guided tour experience: “I liked Disney, but now that I have experienced Disney with a friend who hired a tour guide, I don't know if I can do it regularly anymore” (04:57).

Fortune also candidly talks about her health struggles while preparing for a tour, stating, “I've been sick for a week… trying to get healthy before I basically am gone for three, you know, weeks in a row” (05:42). This honest discussion about personal well-being adds depth to their otherwise lighthearted conversation.

Listener Question 1: Shower Drying Habits

The first listener question comes from Ashley in Austin, Texas, who seeks help resolving a domestic debate about post-shower routines:

Listener (Ashley):
"When you are done with the shower, do you immediately step out onto the bath mat and grab a towel and start drying off or do you stay in the shower and try to run your fingers down your body and get as much of the water off first?" (07:40)

Discussion:

Mae and Fortune find this question both amusing and relatable. Fortune shares a serendipitous connection, admitting, “This exact thought crossed my mind when I got out of the shower today” (08:23), revealing a moment of telepathic coincidence between the hosts. Mae firmly sides with the traditional method, stating, “I jump out of the shower and grab a towel. That is what a towel is for” (09:45), while Fortune offers a nuanced view, acknowledging both methods and ultimately leaning towards using the bath mat to avoid dampness: “I would be the more inclined to get on the bath mat and towel off” (09:32).

This segment blends humor with practical advice, highlighting the hosts' ability to find common ground in mundane activities.

Listener Question 2: Embarrassing Parent Stories

The second question is from Jamie in Winnipeg, Canada, inspired by Fortune's stories about her mother:

Listener (Jamie):
"Has one or both of your parents ever done something so embarrassing to you in public that it has seared itself into your memory forever?" (11:19)

Discussion:

Mae and Fortune dive into their personal histories, sharing memorable and cringe-worthy moments orchestrated by their parents. Fortune recounts her mother's habit of yelling their names across stores, painting a vivid picture of childhood embarrassment: “She would scream our names at the top of her lungs across the store… It was so humiliating” (12:03). Mae contrasts this with her father's playful antics, describing how he would create shadow puppet shows and wear Mickey Mouse ears to entertain her: “He would wear Mickey Mouse ears so I could see this, like, projection of this madman up” (14:19).

Mae further shares her high school experience of almost being crowned homecoming queen, highlighting her battle against her mother's traditional expectations:
"They want you to be a pretty little lady… my mom just thought I was the most gorgeous I'd ever been" (15:25). This heartfelt exchange underscores the universal theme of navigating parent-child relationships and the humorous yet poignant moments that define them.

Listener Question 3: Jaywalking Habits

The final listener question comes from Court in Denton, Texas, regarding jaywalking practices:

Listener (Court):
"Do y'all jaywalk or are you strict crosswalkers and what is your reasoning?" (16:36)

Discussion:

Mae identifies as "kind of a rebel," admitting to jaywalking when she deems it safe:
"I'm kind of a rebel. I do jaywalk if it's safe, I trust my judgment and if it's safe, I will" (16:55). She expresses frustration with pedestrians who jaywalk while handling strollers, viewing it as unnecessarily risky:
"My pet peeve is people who jaywalk with strollers because then you're pushing the stroller out in front of you" (16:55).

Fortune adds her perspective, balancing rule-following with occasional rebellion:
"I'm a rule follower for sure, but occasionally will jaywalk… I just trust, you know?" (20:26). The conversation touches on urban safety, personal responsibility, and the cultural nuances of pedestrian behavior in different cities, such as Los Angeles versus Austin.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Mae and Fortune promote their upcoming live shows and engage with their audience's enthusiasm. They encourage listeners to join their livestream from Austin, sharing excitement about future events and their continuous connection with fans. The hosts' genuine interactions and willingness to share personal stories make "Pretty Little Episode #34" a delightful mix of humor, relatability, and heartfelt conversation.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mae Martin:
  “If I'm a fan of a podcast and they randomly change the theme, which happens sometimes, I do not like it.” (01:14)

• Fortune Feimster:
  “I was listening to our theme song and Tig's podcast. Yeah. It doesn't get old for me.” (00:53)

• Mae Martin:
  “I jump out of the shower and grab a towel. That is what a towel is for. You can't actually remove water from your body with your hands. That is totally insane.” (09:45)

• Fortune Feimster:
  “She would scream our names at the top of her lungs across the store… It was so humiliating.” (12:03)

• Mae Martin:
  “They want you to be a pretty little lady… my mom just thought I was the most gorgeous I'd ever been.” (15:25)

• Court (Listener):
  “I'm a proud crosswalker, if that's even a term. I wish I had a cooler reason than safety, but, yeah, I mainly just don't want to get run over.” (20:50)

Note: Timestamps correspond to the positions in the provided transcript and serve to anchor notable quotes within the conversation flow.