Handsome Podcast - "Pretty Little Episode #56"
Aired: September 12, 2025
Hosts: Mae Martin, Fortune Feimster (Tig Notaro is notably absent this episode)
Episode Overview
This episode of "Handsome" is a "pretty little" mini-episode centered on fielding advice questions from listeners. The hosts, Mae Martin and Fortune Feimster, set a relaxed, comical tone as they check in with each other's lives, talk about showbiz projects, and then dive into advice topics ranging from imposter syndrome to long distance friendship and failing driving tests.
Catching Up: Life Updates & Showbiz Adventures
[00:58–09:21]
- Mae’s Return Home: Mae just returned from a trip ("I arrived seven minutes ago and...it feels good to be back around all my objects." – Mae, 01:22) and shares the comfort of being back in her house.
- Fortune’s Time in North Carolina: Fortune discusses spending time in her hometown with her mom and balancing work ("I'm technically not working except for, like, our pod and my radio show while I'm there. But it's been nice..." – Fortune, 01:50).
- Upcoming TV Roles:
- Fortune is starting a new TV series with Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon, playing a golf caddy. She jokes about the physical training required: "I'm going to be sore as a..." (Fortune, 03:16).
- Mae talks about an upcoming premiere of her show (premiering Sept 25) and her dad’s cameo as a puppet maker, humorously imagining a spin-off.
- Memorable Anecdotes:
- Comic riffing about learning unique physical skills for acting roles (like Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman whip scene).
- Mae recounts watching "The Legend of Bagger Vance" as a teen and getting hysterical over the movie's title, cementing a friendship with Nicole.
- Both hosts muse about including family members in their respective projects.
"You brought your mom on Kimmel when you were hosting. You got to do it. What's the point otherwise?" – Mae (09:07)
Listener Question Segment: A Dive into Advice
Starts at [09:21]
1. Impostor Syndrome
Question from Anneliese, Vermont – [10:59]
- Summary: Anneliese feels stuck with imposter syndrome, especially while trying to start her own business, and asks how to manage it.
- Key Insights:
- Mae defines imposter syndrome as "feeling like at any minute someone's going to figure out that you don't know what you're doing." (11:57)
- Fortune’s personal reflection: Relates her early experience as a series regular on "The Mindy Project," admitting to feeling way out of her league at first ([12:58]–[13:39]).
"I was just kind of quiet and just observing for a long time...then got the hang of it, probably maybe six episodes in." – Fortune (13:52)
- Actionable advice:
- Find a trusted "anchor" – someone you can confide in when you feel out of your depth (15:21–15:45).
- Avoid making low-confidence your "comedic angle" or over-sharing self-doubt publicly (15:42).
- Embrace "fake it till you make it" – but stay open to learning and don't overcompensate by pretending to know it all ([16:01]–[16:08]).
- "Have confidence in yourself. Somebody hired you." – Mae (16:45)
- Immerse yourself socially—don’t isolate—and learn from observing others.
- Both agree that everyone, especially outside life-or-death jobs, is "figuring it out as they go."
2. Long Distance Friendships
Question from Ash (they/them) – [17:50]
- Summary: Ash asks for advice on maintaining long-distance friendships after moving states.
- Key Insights:
- Quality over quantity: Both hosts stress the value of intentional, concentrated time—like trips or visits—over frequent but brief meetups.
"A few days with someone...is more than, like, you know, a year of coffees with someone that lives around the corner." – Mae (18:33)
- Grace and flexibility:
- Good friendships allow "grace" for lapses in communication ("If it's a friend who's, like, always making you feel guilty for...not keeping in touch, that friendship's not gonna go far." – Fortune, 20:01).
- Stay in touch creatively:
- Suggests regular but stress-free check-ins—texting, calling, or planning intentional visits during travels (21:06).
- Both hosts oppose guilt-tripping around frequency and effort, especially in adulthood's busy seasons.
- Quality over quantity: Both hosts stress the value of intentional, concentrated time—like trips or visits—over frequent but brief meetups.
3. Nervousness Failing Driving Tests
Question from Emma – [21:56]
- Summary: Emma, like Mae, is an adult without a license and has failed the driving test twice, mainly due to tension with the examiner. She asks how to break the tension with the test examiner.
- Key Insights:
- Switch examiners if possible: Maybe Emma is "stuck in a rut with this person," jokes Mae ([22:36]–[22:44]).
- Practice and prep: Fortune emphasizes getting more comfortable behind the wheel before the next attempt ([22:53]–[23:05]).
- Acknowledge nerves lightly: Mae floats the idea of naming the anxiety, but warns not to get too flirty or weird by saying "you could cut this tension with a knife" ([23:08]–[23:32]).
- Focus on the road, not the tester: Both recommend narrowing your attention during the test (23:49–24:23).
- Be strategic with flattery: Light-heartedly discuss buttering up the examiner ("A little ego boost." – Mae, 24:39), but acknowledge the examiner might not even remember her.
- Above all, keep practicing, don’t get discouraged by repeat attempts, and remember: "Third time's a charm." (25:01)
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On Imposter Syndrome:
Mae: "Everyone has the same feeling. Like, you don't suddenly become an adult...We're all teenagers pretending..." (12:26) - On Relating to Listeners:
Fortune: "Annaleise, you got this. You go rock it in Vermont and show them what's up." (17:34) - On Long-Distance Friendships:
Fortune: "If it's a friend who's, like, always making you feel guilty for, like, not keeping in touch, that friendship's not gonna go far." (20:01) Mae: "The friends are fun. You should...not be in just one zip code." (21:40) - On Failing Driving Tests:
Fortune: "I believe in you. Mae believes in you. ...and they say third time's a charm." (25:01)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [00:58] Episode theme and hosts check-in, Mae returns from travels
- [01:50] Fortune’s family time and new TV show announcement
- [05:00] Mae’s memory of “Bagger Vance” & friendship story
- [06:11] Upcoming show premieres, family cameos
- [09:21] Listener advice questions introduction
- [10:59] Anneliese’s imposter syndrome question
- [17:50] Ash’s long distance friendships question
- [21:56] Emma’s driving test nerves question
- [25:24] Wrap-up and encouragement to send more questions
Tone & Style
The hosts keep the conversation goofy, heartfelt, and candid, with regular bursts of laughter and self-deprecating humor. Their advice is rooted in their own lived experiences—with empathy, realness, and a touch of comic exaggeration—making the insights feel friendly and accessible.
Final Thoughts
A fun, supportive episode that delivers practical and genuinely warm advice with plenty of funny asides and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the hosts’ lives. Advice seekers and fans alike will enjoy the honest discussion and playful banter.