Podcast Summary: "Handsome" – Episode Featuring Tobin Heath & Kristen Press on Sports

Podcast Information:

• Title: Handsome
• Host/Author: Headgum
• Description: "Handsome" is a podcast from comedians Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin. Every week, the handsome hosts field a question from a friend and attempt to answer it together, covering every subject you could think of. Along the way, Tig, Fortune, and Mae tell plenty of stories and just generally have a ridiculous time.
• Episode: Tobin Heath & Kristen Press Ask About Sports
• Release Date: March 11, 2025

1. Opening Banter and Personal Anecdotes ([03:05] – [36:42])

The episode begins with the hosts—Tig Notaro, May Martin, and Fortune Feimster—engaging in their characteristic humorous banter. They delve into personal topics such as home improvements, family dynamics, and quirky household mishaps. Notable moments include:

• House Renovations: Tig shares the struggles of updating their home with young children, highlighting issues like outdated countertops and ceiling moldings. May expresses excitement about designing a stained glass window, inviting listeners to contribute ideas.

  • Tig Notaro ([20:22]): "We kept kicking it down the road. But then we're living in it, it's all right."

• Fortune’s Home Repair Woes: Fortune humorously recounts dealing with a busted plumbing pipe that left a significant hole in her wall.

  • Fortune Feimster ([21:20]): "My plumbing went kaput in this bathroom. They opened up the wall, trying to get to it, and it didn't go anywhere."

• Butch Moments: Fortune shares a story about trimming an unruly olive bush, emphasizing her "butch" side and the unexpected responsibilities that come with home ownership.

  • Fortune Feimster ([23:26]): "I trimmed that bush. Did you feel...?"

Throughout these segments, the hosts maintain a light-hearted atmosphere, weaving in jokes about household tasks, personal upgrades, and the chaos of maintaining a home.

2. Transition to Guest Segment ([36:42] – [37:23])

As the hosts wrap up their personal stories, they introduce the episode's main guests—Tobin Heath and Kristen Press, both celebrated members of the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team and entrepreneurs.

• Fortune Feimster ([36:47]): "Today's question askers are two soccer stars who have won multiple gold medals as members of the U.S. women's soccer team. They’re also entrepreneurs and podcasters."

3. Guest Introduction and Initial Discussions ([37:23] – [44:34])

Tobin and Kristen join the conversation, posing thoughtful questions about sports fandom, media representation, and the inclusivity of sports commentary.

• Tobin & Kristen’s Question: They inquire whether the hosts are sports fans, which teams they support, and if they believe sports media adequately represents women, non-binary, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • Tobin Heath ([37:59]): "Are you a sports fan? What teams do you support? Do you think that sports was made for you? Are the commentators players? Are they entertaining for you? Are they calling in women, non-binary people, our demographic? Why or why not?"

4. Hosts’ Perspectives on Sports and Media Representation ([38:38] – [53:48])

The hosts share their varied relationships with sports, offering insights into personal fandom, experiences as athletes, and observations on media representation.

• Fortune’s Advocacy for Women’s Sports:

  • Fortune Feimster ([38:41]): "I am a huge fan of our U.S. women's National Soccer team. Tobin and Kristen are legends."
  • She emphasizes the importance of representation, noting the positive impact of having more women and LGBTQ+ commentators in sports media.
    • Fortune Feimster ([55:34]): "I feel like women's sports is the only place that was really giving women an opportunity to be commentators..."

• May’s Observations on Sports Viewing:

  • May Martin ([40:55]): "I never ended up watching women's soccer because I was always with like groups of friends and pubs and things."
  • She contrasts her experiences watching men's versus women's soccer, highlighting the perceived authenticity and skill in women's games.
    • May Martin ([40:54]): "British women's soccer team... this is such better TV because they're not faking injuries every five seconds."

• Tig’s Athletic Background and Reflections:

  • Tig Notaro ([42:36]): "I was very drawn to soccer as a child. I played from the time I was 5 until I was 11 or 12."
  • She discusses the role of sports in personal development and critiques the punitive measures schools sometimes take against students struggling academically by removing their extracurricular activities.
    • Tig Notaro ([48:41]): "I think sports should not be taken away from someone because they're struggling in school."

• Emotional Connection to Sports:

  • The hosts reveal their emotional ties to sports, expressing how watching teams score can be a deeply moving experience.
    • May Martin ([51:20]): "I cry every time anyone scores a goal."
    • Fortune Feimster ([51:49]): "I could never have that kind of dedication [to sports]."

• Inclusivity and Protection in Sports:

  • They discuss the current climate surrounding inclusivity in sports, particularly for trans and non-binary athletes, and lament the shifting focus from broader women's issues to specific segments within sports.
    • May Martin ([52:46]): "It's so sad that trans kids are not being allowed to play sports..."
    • Tig Notaro ([53:22]): "Why is this where you're protecting women? Why doesn't it apply to reproductive rights?"

5. Guest Responses and Further Insights ([53:48] – [61:17])

Tobin and Kristen respond to the hosts' comments, sharing their own experiences as athletes and content creators focused on women's sports.

• Tobin’s Love for Sports:

  • Tobin Heath ([57:38]): "I love sports. I love playing sports. I love watching sports."
  • She reminisces about childhood sports activities and expresses dissatisfaction with the current state of sports media.
    • Tobin Heath ([58:41]): "I don't think sports media made the door wide enough for us..."

• Kristen’s Perspective on Watching Live Sports:

  • Kristen Press ([59:28]): "I don’t consider myself a sports fan, which is a touch taboo in professional sports. But I love live sports and live entertainment."
  • She explains her preference for the atmosphere of live games over televised events, even in her own sport.
    • Kristen Press ([59:42]): "Being in the stadium with all the people with so much passion..."

• Hosts Discuss Live Sports Experiences:

  • The conversation shifts to personal anecdotes about attending live games, sharing humorous and heartfelt moments.
    • Tig Notaro ([60:20]): "I ate a bag of peanuts. Have a beer and vegan Dodger Dog. It was a blast."

6. Closing Remarks and Announcements ([61:17] – [66:37])

The episode concludes with the hosts and guests sharing upcoming projects, touring schedules, and promoting their respective works.

• Upcoming Projects:

  • Tig Notaro ([62:55]): "Please do the wonderful film Come See Me in the Good Light, which is the documentary about Andrea Gibson and their partner, Meg Fowley."
  • May Martin ([65:10]): "My friend Carolyn Taylor has a documentary series called I Have Nothing, about her quest to choreograph an Olympic-level Paris figure skating routine."

• Tour Dates:

  • Hosts and guests provide details about their upcoming tours and performances across various cities.

• Final Thoughts:

  • The hosts encourage listeners to subscribe, leave reviews, and follow them on social media to stay updated on their activities.
    • May Martin ([66:07]): "What a podcast. That was a Headgum podcast."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Tig Notaro on House Renovations:

  • [20:22] "We kept kicking it down the road. But then we're living in it, it's all right."

• Fortune Feimster on Plumbing Issues:

  • [21:20] "My plumbing went kaput in this bathroom. They opened up the wall, trying to get to it, and it didn't go anywhere."

• Fortune on Trimming the Bush:

  • [23:26] "I trimmed that bush. Did you feel...?"

• May Martin on Sports Representation:

  • [51:20] "I cry every time anyone scores a goal."

• Tig Notaro on School and Sports:

  • [48:41] "I think sports should not be taken away from someone because they're struggling in school."

• Tobin Heath on Sports Media:

  • [58:41] "I don't think sports media made the door wide enough for us..."

• May Martin on Inclusivity in Sports:

  • [52:46] "It's so sad that trans kids are not being allowed to play sports..."

Key Takeaways

• Importance of Representation: The discussion underscores the critical need for diverse representation in sports media, advocating for more women, non-binary, and LGBTQ+ voices in commentary roles.

• Emotional Impact of Sports: The hosts and guests highlight the profound emotional connections individuals develop with sports, whether through watching, playing, or experiencing live events.

• Sports as a Support System: Reflecting on personal histories, the conversation emphasizes how sports can serve as a vital support system for individuals facing challenges, offering camaraderie, discipline, and a sense of belonging.

• Critique of Current Sports Climate: There's a shared concern about the current state of sports media and inclusivity, with calls for broader acceptance and support beyond niche areas.

• Personal Growth Through Sports: The hosts reveal how their athletic backgrounds have shaped their lives, fostering resilience and community involvement.

Conclusion

This episode of "Handsome" offers an insightful and heartfelt exploration of sports from multiple perspectives. Through engaging conversations with esteemed athletes Tobin Heath and Kristen Press, the hosts delve into the significance of representation, the emotional bonds formed through sports, and the ongoing challenges within the sports media landscape. Combining humor with meaningful dialogue, the episode provides listeners with both entertainment and thoughtful reflections on the role of sports in personal and societal contexts.