Handsome Podcast – Pretty Little Episode #61 (October 17, 2025)

Hosts: Tig Notaro, Mae Martin
Producer: Headgum
Theme: Navigating Dopamine, Regrets, and Binge-worthy Habits with Humor

Episode Overview

In this self-described "Pretty Little" episode of Handsome, comedians Tig Notaro and Mae Martin (sans Fortune Feimster) engage in their signature blend of personal storytelling, comic banter, and thoughtful listener Q&A. The discussion orbits personal challenges with technology addiction, dopamine-driven behaviors, and the importance of seizing small life moments to avoid regret. The episode is peppered with offbeat anecdotes—like the 16th-century "dancing plague"—and capped by listeners’ questions about memorable binge habits and life-changing, seemingly minor decisions.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dopamine, Technology, and Modern Addictions

[01:38–07:30]

• Mae’s Upcoming Retreat: Mae excitedly shares she’s about to undertake her first "six days without a phone" since adolescence.
• Book Recommendation: Tig brings up Dopamine Nation, noting its broad focus on addiction and balance—not just social media, but work, sex, drugs, and more. She shares:

  "I'm in the middle of trying to create balance where I shifted my episode load of Star Trek and tour schedule ... so I can be home way more." (Tig, 02:08)

• ADHD & Dopamine: Mae references Gabor Maté's broad definition of addiction:

  “Any addiction is anything that you crave, find relief in and can't give up despite it having negative consequences in your life.” (Mae quoting Gabor Maté, 03:27)

• Late-Night Rabbit Holes: Mae confesses to a recent 3:30 am spiral—reading about 1518's "dancing plague," where townsfolk reportedly perished from dancing non-stop.

  “Every new little detail gives me a little hit of dopamine, maybe?” (Mae, 06:27)

• Tig’s Disinterest & Self-Awareness: Tig dryly admits historic dance crazes would never keep her up at night—but news headlines might.

  “I don’t want to spend my time. And that’s what this book got me thinking about: I don’t want to ... news is there to inform you, but it's also a business where they're trying to keep you sucked in. And I feel like a fool because it's working.” (Tig, 08:52)

2. Regret and Life-Altering Seemingly Small Decisions

[09:44–14:34]

• Listener Question (Sheila): “What is something you would have regretted not doing, that seemed innocuous at the time but proved big?”
• Tig’s Accidental LA Move: Tig recounts following friends from Colorado to LA post-breakup—a move she hadn’t planned, leading to her comedy career.

  “I accidentally moved here and accidentally got into stand-up and here I am almost 30 years later living in LA as a stand-up comedian.” (Tig, 12:24)

• Mae’s Acting Story: Mae relates a parallel big-little decision—insisting on an extra chemistry read with actress Charlotte Ritchie (aided by "two glasses of wine") for her show Feel Good, ultimately affirming the right casting choice.

  “I'm glad ... Jo and I, who wrote it, knew that it was supposed to be her.” (Mae, 16:07)

3. The Importance of Final Conversations & Cherishing Loved Ones

[16:08–18:29]

• Sheila’s Powerful Answer: She shares her gratitude for taking a phone call from her dad—what became their final conversation.

  “I took the phone call anyway. Something told me to, and I'm so glad I did because I lost him five days later.” (Sheila, 16:15)

• Reflections from Tig & Mae: The hosts empathize, with Tig linking it to losing her own mother and the importance of always saying "I love you":

  “When I leave the house, even if I'm just going to get lunch or at night, bedtime ... I'm just ... I love you and good night ... brutal lesson of losing my mother ...” (Tig, 17:03)

• Mae’s ‘Just in Case Letters’: Mae reveals she keeps farewell letters on her computer for friends and family:

  "I have letters on my computer in case I got hit by a bus ... they're all on my desktop. Just in case." (Mae, 17:55)

4. Bingeing Shows, Podcasts, and Guilty Pleasures

[18:36–23:46]

• Listener John’s Question: What have the hosts “binged” that stands out—show, podcast, book, or even food?
• Tig’s Pick: WTF with Marc Maron—a podcast she listens to regularly and admires for Marc’s directness and advocacy.

  “He’s so knowledgeable and he’s also not afraid to, you know, really speak his mind and stand up for the little guys and girls and ladies.” (Tig, 20:08)

• Mae’s Pick: Old episodes of The Weakest Link (UK)—for their “toxic” nostalgia and rapid-fire trivia, despite cringing at the dated (and outright offensive) humor of host Anne Robinson.

  “I'm watching the ones from the 90s and ... it has not aged well, but ... it kills me ... how did we let this happen?” (Mae, 21:35)

• John’s Answer: He binge-listened to almost 15 years of This American Life during the pandemic with a toddler—how he discovered Tig and, in turn, the show. Both hosts empathize and commend the show’s storytelling.

Notable Quotes & Comic Moments

• Tig (On accidental life events):
  "I accidentally moved here and accidentally got into standup and here I am almost 30 years later living in LA." (12:24)
• Mae (On dopamine and rabbit holes):
  “Every new little detail gives me a little hit of dopamine, maybe?” (06:27)
• Tig (On regret and living purposefully):
  “I love you in case I die in my sleep.” (17:33, joking)
• Mae (On The Weakest Link):
  “A fireman allowed to be gay, Jeff? That haircut’s very gay, isn’t it, Jeff?” (parodying Anne Robinson, 22:09)
• Tig (On closing the dancing plague tangent):
  "It's so interesting how not interested in that I am." (06:07)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dopamine discussion, phone addiction & dance plague: 01:38–07:45
• News as addiction, managing information overwhelm: 07:46–09:08
• Life-changing small choices—moving to LA & casting for Feel Good: 09:44–16:07
• Sheila’s story & cherishing last words: 16:08–18:34
• Leaving letters for loved ones: 17:55–18:29
• Binge-worthy recommendations (Marc Maron, Weakest Link, This American Life): 18:36–23:46

Tone & Style

The episode is playful, self-deprecating, occasionally poignant, and constantly riffing with tangents and inside jokes. Both Tig and Mae maintain warmth and comic rapport while delving (sometimes surprisingly deeply) into questions about regret and the cravings that drive modern behavior.

For Listeners New and Old

Handsome’s “Pretty Little” episode is at once a masterclass in compact, relatable storytelling and a gently comic look at the role of habit, regret, and unexpected decisions. Even in the absence of Fortune, the show’s balance of humor and heart is undiminished—offering both comic relief and a nudge to call your loved ones (and maybe unplug occasionally).

Memorable sign-off:

"I love you, Mae. I? Love you, Thomas." (Tig, 17:48)
"Love you too. Love you, Thomas. Love you guys." (Mae, 17:51)

Keep it Handsome!