Pretty Little Episode #90

Summary

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Handsome Podcast: Pretty Little Episode #90

Hosts: May Martin, Tig Notaro
Date: May 8, 2026
Theme: A “pretty little episode” full of stories from the road, cathartic music, animal symbolism, future dreams, and the nicknames we pick up along the way.

Episode Overview

In this breezy, intimate installment, May Martin and Tig Notaro (minus Fortune Feimster this week) share recent tour experiences, reflect on the cathartic power of music, field heartfelt and quirky listener questions, and swap stories about how nicknames can unexpectedly stick. The episode is light-hearted, playful, and—true to the show’s spirit—full of warm camaraderie and genuine listener connection.

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Road Life, Laser Tag, and Cathartic Songs

(00:51-06:15)

Touring Tales

• May describes life on her tour bus—long, weird days, minimal planning, and adventures to amuse herself. Last night, she discovered a nearly deserted arcade in Concord, NH, and ended up in a private laser tag duel with her touring mate Matt.
  • Quote (May): “It brought out a dark part of me. I was hiding and sniping him. It was so fun.” (01:57)
• Tig asks about May’s competitiveness; May confesses to being highly competitive, recalling a foosball match with Stephanie Allen.
  • Quote (May): “[Matt] went in thinking, we’re gonna have a friendly game of laser tag. I was crawling along the ground, sweating.” (02:29)

The Power of Protest Songs

• May opens up about feeling the weight of the world on tour, leading her to learn and perform a Martha Wainwright protest anthem, “Bloody Mother F***ing Asshole,” as a cathartic outlet for herself and the audience. She’s now made it a nightly ritual.
  • Quote (May): “I was so nervous because I was like, is this corny?...But yeah, it was so cathartic to sing...now I’ve been doing it every night and I love it.” (03:11)
  • Quote (May, reciting lyrics): “I will not pretend, I will not put on a smile, I will not say I’m all right for you. Yeah, it’s really good.” (04:23)
• May shares that she often ends her stand-up with improvised music sets, covering both her own songs and songs by others, sometimes up to five per show. (05:01-05:17)

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Listener Mailbag: Signs, Future Selves, and Sticky Nicknames

Signs from the Universe: Bald Eagle Sighting

(06:17-10:07)

• Deshawn from Wisconsin recounts spotting a bald eagle flying over his commute two days in a row, wondering if it’s a sign.
  • May dives into eagle symbolism: “A powerful symbol of freedom, strength, perspective, divine connection...signifies a need to rise above challenges and gain a higher perspective...It’s a very positive sign.” (07:51)
  • Tig shares she saw a golden eagle in Big Bear before her breakup, joking about the timing but agreeing that such synchronicities feel personally meaningful.
  • Quote (May): “Any time unusually synchronistic things happen, you’re on the right path. That’s confirmation that things are going well.” (09:01)

The Nicknames That Stick

(17:00-19:58)

• Jules from London asks if the hosts have ever been given a nickname by a stranger that stuck.
  • May shares that at rehab, she was nicknamed “Bathwater” because she apparently looked like a kid who’d drunk from their own bath.
    • Quote (May): “So insulting and inaccurate and true. Yeah, of course I’ve had a sip, if not a few.” (17:55)
  • May also notes the ongoing “dumpster tits” reference that sometimes follows her at shows.
  • Jules’ story: In Australia, a stranger called her “little fella,” and since then, even friends’ kids use the nickname.
    • Quote (Jules): “Ever since then, that has been my name, even with some of my friends’ kids—Little Fella.” (19:14)
  • May relates, recalling being mistaken for a “sus young boy” while traveling in Australia.

Imagining the Next Decade

(10:54-16:58)

• Janice from Toronto asks: “Where do you hope to be in 10 years?”
  • Tig ponders parenthood—her twin boys Max and Finn will soon be adults, and she muses about retirement life: more hikes, tennis, possibly not living in Los Angeles, and “trying things I’m barely interested in” such as art classes.
    • Quote (Tig): “I think I just picture myself not in Los Angeles, going on hikes and playing tennis. And I think that’s what I dream about.” (13:10)
  • May echoes the sentiment, fantasizing about life in the woods, painting (but not tennis), river swims, and maybe dogs.
  • The duo jokes about the longevity of podcasts, referencing Jimmy Pardo’s “Never Not Funny” as a goalpost.
  • Janice’s own answer: Hopes to retire, spend time with kids (and kitties), garden, and paint.
    • Quote (Janice): “You never know with life what will happen. But that’s my vision.” (15:44)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Competitive May on Laser Tag: “I was hiding and sniping him. It was so fun.” (01:57)
• May on music as protest: “It was so cathartic to sing and I, like, I bet I really went for it and the audience knew it and they were...now I’ve been doing it every night and I love it.” (03:44)
• On signs and synchronicity: “Any time unusually synchronistic things happen, you’re on the right path. That’s confirmation that things are going well.” (09:01)
• May’s rehab nickname: “Bathwater. Because you look like the type of kid who would have drunk their own bath water. So insulting and inaccurate and true. Yeah, of course I’ve had a sip." (17:55)
• Jules’ enduring nickname: “Little fella. The official photographer, is he?” (19:14)
• Tig’s peaceful retirement fantasy: “Going on hikes and playing tennis...that’s what I dream about.” (13:10)

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Episode Highlights by Timestamp

• 00:51-03:11: May’s touring stories, arcade/lazer tag, and competitive spirit
• 03:11-05:17: How performing Martha Wainwright helps May cope and connect; music in the stand-up set
• 06:17-10:07: Listener Deshawn’s eagle sighting and May’s take on animal symbolism
• 10:54-16:58: Imagining the next ten years (Tig, May, then listener Janice weigh in)
• 17:00-19:58: Nicknames from strangers (May’s rehab story & Jules’ “little fella” moniker)
• 19:24-20:44: End-of-episode wrap up and friendly goodbyes

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Tone & Style

The episode is playful, honest, and warm—a blend of comedy, introspection, and audience connection. The hosts are candid about the drudgery and weirdness of tour life, open about their feelings, and always supportive of one another and their listeners.

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In Summary

This “Pretty Little Episode” captures the essence of Handsome: close-knit banter, genuine listener engagement, and a blend of levity and depth. Whether discussing protest songs or eagle symbolism, the episode invites listeners into the hosts’ inner worlds, all delivered with trademark charm, wit, and just the right touch of ridiculousness.

Transcript

[A]

This is a headgun podcast.

[B]

Checking Allstate first could save you hundreds on car insurance. Not checking the depth of the hot tub before getting in. Oh, no. It's about a foot too shallow. And now the upper half of my body is shivering in the cold air.

[C]

Yeah, check in first is handsome. So check Allstate first for an auto quote. It could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Potential savings vary, subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate North American Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois.

[A]

Pretty little episode.

[D]

Welcome to the handsome Pod. This is a very pretty, very little episode, and I'm one of your hosts,

[A]

May Martin, joined by Tig Notaro. How are you, May?

[D]

I'm well, thank you. How are you?

[A]

I'm good. I'm curious. Yeah, I was just thinking, like, you've been on your bus for a while, and maybe it's driving you a little cuckoo.

[D]

Yeah, a little cuckily dookly. I'm being. Things are getting weird. Yeah.

[A]

So what do you do to fill your day, like, today? What is on the docket for May Martin today on a bus tour.

[D]

Thanks for asking. Tag. Well, today. Today, I didn't plan anything. I'm just. I'll probably go for a walk. And then, like, we. I slept from maybe 5am to 11, and then I wake up, I have a coffee now I'm podcasting. Go for a walk, Go to the venue. But yesterday I was in Concord, New Hampshire, and I found an arcade, and me and Matt, who's touring with me, went to the arcade, and we were the only people in the entire arcade. And then we did laser tag, and we were the only people in the whole laser tag arena. So it was just me and my friend hunting each other through this maze.

[A]

Wow.

[D]

And I won every round. It brought out a dark part of me. I was hiding and sniping him. It was so fun.

[A]

And are you, like. Did you go in feeling competitive? Like, I'm going to. Yeah. Okay, so you are competitive.

[D]

I'm like, I've only played one game with Stephanie Allen once, and I thought, wow, it was a game of foosball. And she was so competitive. And I'm like, I'm the exact same. So I was like, yeah. A kindred competitiveness there.

[A]

Wow.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

I mean, Matt went in thinking, we're gonna have a friendly game of laser tag. I was crawling along the ground, sweating.

[A]

Wow.

[D]

Yeah. It was crazy.

[A]

And do you play laser tag typically? Like, is that one of your.

[D]

No, but I will be. Now, was that your first time? No, I played as a kid a lot. Like birthday parties and stuff.

[A]

Surprisingly, I haven't played.

[D]

I think, I think you like it.

[A]

Really?

[D]

Well, I don't think that you'd hide and crawl along the ground, but I think you'd find it really funny watching everyone else do that.

[A]

Well, maybe I'll look into it, but the truth is I probably won't.

[D]

Hey, I thought of you the other day because I was. This is like three shows ago now. I was feeling really mad about the world and I wanted to play like a protest song because I do songs at the end of the show and then I couldn't think of any protest songs that. And then I ended up playing Martha Wainwright. Bloody. I learned it before the show and then I played it and I was so nervous because I was like, is this corny? Like. But I'm just mad at the world. And then. Yeah, it was so cathartic to sing and I, like, I bet I really went for it and the audience knew it and they were. But now I've been doing it every night and I love it.

[A]

Oh, that's amazing. I. I would love to hear that.

[D]

I would love you to hear it.

[A]

You've. You've always been a fan of hers and love that song and. And then people just, they happen to know that song too.

[D]

I think there's a crossover in our audiences or something. But yeah, a lot of. I mean, yeah, it's just such a great angry anthem if you haven't heard it.

[A]

Good. It's so good. Good. She's so great. I mean, I know we've gushed about her before, but it's so great.

[D]

I mean, the chorus is like, I will not pretend, I will not put on a smile I will not say I'm all right for you. Yeah, it's really good. And yeah, so it's cathartic. Anyone like, put it on your house and just sing along. But yeah, I'm going to keep singing it.

[A]

How many songs do you do at the end of your show?

[D]

If I'm doing a double show day, then I'll do three. But if I'm. I'm really enjoying it, the song, the music part probably more than anything. And yeah, sometimes I do five. I'll do like one of mine and maybe an Elliot Smith song and maybe Martha Wainwright or.

[A]

Yeah, and how long is your stand up set?

[D]

So I do about 50 minutes, then a intermission, then improv with Matt and then music.

[A]

You do an intermission?

[D]

I didn't ask for this I didn't ask for this live. I didn't. Yeah. But I do.

[A]

Who's telling you to do an intermission?

[D]

I don't know the venues, I guess, to sell drinks.

[A]

Oh, I have not run into that, except in Europe.

[D]

I think the way you tour is the way I will be touring, which is like no intermission, no meet and greets, I think. Not that I'm not loving the. I am loving the meet and greets, but. But it is like the thing that's pushing me over the edge, I think, into madness.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Because it's like a whole other act of the show, you know, it's another 45 minutes. And I love meeting everyone, but it's like. Yeah, it's tiring.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Not to. Anyway, I'm very grateful and humble and lucky.

[A]

Yeah, it's. I know. I cut out quick and just have to go get my beauty rest because I feel like I gave them everything I got, you know, on stage.

[D]

Be able to just shut your personality off of it and like.

[A]

Yeah. Should we get to a question?

[D]

Yeah, let's.

[E]

Hi, handsome pod. My name is deshawn. I'm from Wisconsin, and I don't really have a question or an advice request for you, but I have something I want to propose. Like, I want to see if this means anything. So, okay, so here it is. I have a 20 minute commute to work. I basically drive south on this highway and there's a lot of fields and wooded areas that I'm passing by. Well, today's Thursday. On Monday morning, I'm driving to work and I look up and I see this humongous bald eagle flying over me, basically flying from east to west over the highway. And I'm like, that's crazy. When you ever see that happen? Like, that's super, super cool. Like, I'm like, that's a great start to my week. Well, Tuesday, I'm driving to work. The same thing happens, pretty much the same spot, I'm assuming the same eagle flying the same path east to west over my car. It's like a five second window that, like, I would be seeing this. And I. It happened to me like two days in a row, and it didn't happen Wednesday or. Or again today. But, like, that means something, right? Like.

[A]

Like what?

[B]

How?

[E]

What? Help me out, May. Tell me what that means.

[D]

Yes.

[A]

All right.

[E]

I love the pod. Thanks so much, guys.

[D]

Bye.

[A]

That was perfect timing because you were nodding your head like, yes, let me take this, Let me take this. And then she's like,

[D]

well, okay, eagles are are very symbolic of a lot of things. And that is wild that you would happen to look up in that little window. I mean, maybe that eagle lives around there. But let's see. I've Googled a powerful symbol of freedom, strength, perspective, divine connection signifies a need to rise above challenges and gain a higher perspective and embrace personal growth or new beginnings. I think it's a very positive sign. It says, eagle flying overhead is a sign of encouragement to rise above challenges. Wow. Is. I saw one in Big Bear on a romantic weekend. I saw a golden eagle flying in circles above me.

[A]

And what came of that?

[D]

Well, we broke up pretty soon after, but now. Now things are looking good. So.

[A]

Okay. All right. So it's. You feel like there's a direct connection, and so the positivity. It might take a little while for it to come back and. And re. Head and. Is that what you're saying?

[D]

I think any time, sort of unusually synchronistic things happen. That's. That's. You're on the right path. That's like confirmation that things are. Things are going well.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Love it. Well, we don't have an answer to that. Eagle. I was going to say eagle experience, but we can only assume a lot of positive things are happening right now or in two years.

[D]

Was the. You know that Muppet, Was that a bald eagle? The one that was like.

[A]

That's the only thing that's all I know.

[D]

You know, the bigger. Yeah. Was that Sam Eagle? Yeah.

[A]

So that is. I don't even know who Sam Eagle is. And you going, that doesn't help.

[D]

No, it was a Muppet who was always very into bureaucracy and things. Yeah.

[A]

Oh. Oh, okay. Yes.

[D]

Didn't I kind of do a pretty good impersonation?

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. The eyebrows are similar.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

So you knew that right away, Thomas. Sam Eagle.

[B]

No, I googled Eagle Muppets.

[A]

Oh, okay. It's like, wow.

[C]

Checking Allstate first could save you hundreds on car insurance. Not checking for magical antique stores staffed by wonderful oddballs while I travel the country. Missed opportunity.

[D]

I had to catch a flight.

[C]

I didn't get to explore the local sites.

[D]

Guess I'll have to come back another time.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Checking first is handsome, so check Allstate first for an auto quote. It could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Potential savings vary subject to terms, conditions, and availability. Allstate North American Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois.

[A]

All right, so what's next? What else we got?

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

Hi, handsomes. This is Janice from Toronto. My question is where do you see yourself in 10 years? Or where. Where do you hope to be in 10 years? What do you envision your life looking like?

[A]

Mm, ten years, Janice.

[D]

Oh, my God. Max and Finn are gonna be full teens.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[D]

Like ending. Heading into their 20s.

[A]

They'll be almost 20. Yeah.

[E]

That's crazy.

[A]

I like that you're struggling with that. I know, but, yeah, I think it's. It's funny because they are almost 10. I always think, like, God, if I, If I didn't. Because everything, not everything I do is around them, but they're the high priority of, like, where they want to be, what they want to be doing, and how will they, you know, thrive? In the best ways and. But I think I would probably not have exactly the life I have right now if I didn't have kids. And so my. I think I would because.

[D]

And you like the life you have now, so. And that's.

[A]

I. I do. I just. I just think I might be a little more. Maybe not in Los Angeles.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

You know?

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

I think that would be a very different thing for me. And what I'm trying to do with my time home is, like I've said before, play tennis. But I'm also just curious to try things that I'm barely interested in. Like, I. I used to be. So.

[D]

Say the word. Let me get you to an escape room. Let me.

[A]

No, no, no, no, no. It's nothing like that. It's more of like, because when Stephanie and I first got together, she got me an easel because I had said, like, oh, maybe I'd want to paint or learn how to paint, because I was very into art when I was a kid, like most kids are. But that's one of those things where it's like, oh, what if I went and took an art class?

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Or, you know, those kind of those. I guess it's just retirement life that I'm describing. But, yeah, I think. I think I just picture myself not in Los Angeles, going on hikes and playing tennis. And I think that's what I. I dream about.

[D]

I'd love to see you in an art class and painting and just don't

[A]

look at the art that I'm painting.

[D]

Do I do YouTube videos sometimes, like the equivalent of like, Bob Ross, where you're just painting along and it's really soothing and you can chat to people while you do it and.

[A]

God, I don't know if I really realized you're left handed.

[D]

Me? No. Yeah, No, I just did that with my left hand. Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Okay.

[D]

Yeah. Ten years. I mean, I'm. I feel similarly, even though I. I. Yeah, I feel similarly. I'm like, I want to maybe not be in la. Maybe be in the woods and doing a lot of painting and.

[A]

Yeah. Tennis, too.

[D]

I've never been into tennis.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

Swimming in rivers and stuff. And. Yeah. Maybe dogs as well.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

And, you know, hanging out with my girls, taking Fortune.

[A]

Oh, my God. If this podcast is going 10 more years, I mean, that is hilarious. I guess podcast lasts a long time,

[D]

but I feel like the longest podcast going. I wonder.

[A]

Well, Jimmy Pardo has a podcast called Never Not Funny that just turned 20 years old.

[D]

Oh, my God. Okay. That's something to aspire to.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, it's still going. And, I mean, he was one of the early, early podcasters.

[D]

Right.

[A]

Is there a long running? What is the longest running? It says the Jack and Stench show, but I have not heard of that. The Jack and Stench Show, Wow.

[D]

Should we hear Janice's answer?

[A]

Yeah, let's hear it. Give it to us, Janice.

[F]

Hopefully, I would be retiring with extra time to be at home and spend time with my kids. My kitties spend time out in the garden and doing more painting.

[A]

There you go.

[F]

That's where I hope to be, but you never know with life what will happen. But that's my vision. Thanks. Bye.

[A]

Well, it sounds like Janice and I would be good friends.

[D]

Yeah. And. Yeah. All of us. Yeah.

[A]

Isn't that funny? It's like, as soon as you want to kind of wind down a little bit, you're like, where are my paintbrushes? Yeah.

[D]

That's so funny. Give me my watercolors.

[A]

Yeah. And I also don't want to offend actual artists out there. I don't think it's easy and that I can just pick up paintbrushes and be as great as. Well, as great as May Martin. No, your paintings are really great, May.

[D]

They're not, but thanks. I.

[A]

What do you mean they're not?

[D]

Well, I. I'm like. I don't. I'm, like, doing it from YouTube videos a lot of the time or. Or just figuring it out, but I feel like I haven't found my style yet.

[A]

I'm impressed.

[D]

Thanks. Thanks. Yeah, I feel like, you know, in the beginning of doing comedy, I was doing musical comedy and, like, weird and just trying to find my. So I'm like, I'm in the musical comedy phase of art, you know?

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Well, can we hear one more?

[A]

Yeah, we'll do one more.

[G]

Hey, handsomes. This is Jules, a fellow Pretty little lady from London, England. And I was wondering, has a stranger ever given you a nickname that has gone on to stick with you in your everyday life?

[D]

A stranger?

[A]

Yeah, a stranger. No.

[D]

When I went to rehab, I. Early on, everyone started calling me Bathwater. And I didn't know.

[A]

I remember you saying that. Yeah.

[D]

And I didn't know why, and I just went with it because I was happy to be part of the group, you know? And then finally I got close enough with them. Even the teachers were calling me Bathwater. And I said, why do you call me that? And they said, because you look like the type of kid who would have drunk their own bath water. So insulting and inaccurate and true. Yeah, of course I've had a sip,

[A]

if not a few. Yeah, Yeah. I don't think I. There's nothing I can think of that, I mean, I'm sure people probably called me things behind my back that I didn't know about.

[D]

Well, I'll never get over strangers coming up to me and saying, say hi to dumpster tits. It's so funny. I go, thank you. Yeah, I will. Yeah, yeah, absolutely.

[A]

Absolutely. I wish I, I, I wish I could think of something. I'm sorry, Jules.

[D]

Oh, let's hear Jules's answer, though.

[A]

It seemed like, yeah, Jules must have one.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Oh, tell me it's dumpster tits

[G]

for me. When I was traveling in Australia with my partner, we stopped overnight at a campground with a bed that had to be put up on top of the camper van. And I was making a video diary. So I was stood back a bit, taking my video, and then out of nowhere, this little old guy just pops his head around a tree and just goes, ah, little fella doesn't know what he's doing, does he? We just started laughing and we were like, I didn't want to get misgendered. So I just stayed in the background, carried on filming. And so my partner explained, and he said, ah, the little fellas. The official photographer is he. What does he, what does the little fella normally do? And ever since then, that has been my name, even with some of my friends, kids, little fella. So, yeah, do you have any of your own?

[A]

Little fella.

[D]

Little fella.

[A]

That's a good name.

[D]

Yeah. I mean, I can relate to the being mistaken not just for a boy, but for a little boy. Like, for. Yeah, yeah. Like, I think I've said this, that in Australia, my friend and I were on a farm. And the Australian woman said, oh, it's you two. I heard there were a couple of sus young boys trying to break into the gut, and my friend was in his 40s and I was. Yeah.

[A]

Anyway, you were not a young boy.

[D]

I was not a sus. Young boy.

[A]

Yes. Yes. All right. Well, we did it again.

[D]

We did it again.

[A]

What a joy. And please check out all of our tour dates online. Is there anything you'd like to add? Fortune, or.

[D]

Oh, my God.

[A]

Sorry. Fortune's on the mind.

[D]

Yeah, like you said the wrong name in bed. Holy.

[A]

Yeah. Sorry about that.

[D]

That's okay.

[A]

It's a compliment. It's a compliment.

[D]

Yeah, it is. Yeah. No, just check out the maymartin.net for tour dates and also submit your questions and advice requests for us to answer to speakpipe.com handsomepod yes, and until next

[A]

time, keep it pretty.

[B]

Handsome Handsome is hosted by me, Fortune Feimster, Tig Notaro, and May Martin. The show is produced, recorded and edited by Thomas Wuellette. Email [e-mail] and follow us on social media. Ansomepod.

[D]

What a podcast. What a podcast.

[E]

That was a headgum podcast.

[B]

Checking Allstate first could save you hundreds on car insurance. Not checking the Internet for trending videos of dogs doing cute stuff. My mistake. Everybody's talking about the Boston terrier that made friends with a llama, and I'm out of the loop. I'm going to have to ask somebody for a link asap.

[C]

Yeah, check in first is Handsome. So check Allstate first for an auto quote. It could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Potential savings vary subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate North American Insurance Company and Affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois.