Office Ladies: Friday Chit Chat 6 — Summary

Podcast: Office Ladies
Episode: Friday Chit Chat 6
Hosts: Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey (with regulars Jenna Elfman, Sam Kieffer, Cassie Jerkins)
Release Date: September 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Office Ladies is a classic "Friday Chit Chat" installment where Jenna, Angela, and their friends catch up on life, travels, theater, and some truly memorable fan encounters. The overall theme is joyful catch-up, "travel and name dropping," as Cassie Jerkins aptly puts it. Stories span from the stage in Chicago to the streets of Reykjavik (and its infamous museum), name-dropping musical legends, and once-in-a-lifetime tennis adventures.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Catching Up: New Looks, Hawaii, and Chicago (02:24–05:00)

• Sam Kieffer’s Handlebar Mustache

  • The team pokes fun at Sam’s new mustache, resulting from half-finished beard shaving.
  • Memorable moment:
    • Jenna: "I'm so here for your handlebar mustache. I think it's so hot." (02:26)
    • Sam: "I'm, like, 80% done with shaving... Women are crossing the street when I walk up to them." (02:39)
  • Jenna, playfully supportive: "Not this lady." (03:00)

• Sam’s Trip to Hawaii

  • First time in Waikiki, struck by its surreal beauty.
    • Sam: "Everything looked painted on. Like, all the sunsets, all the ocean water. Everything looks fake, but it's all real. It was gorgeous." (03:23)

• Jenna Elfman's Chicago Adventure

  • Jenna Fischer gushes about her love for Chicago after a recent visit, calling it her "top new favorite city." (04:01)
  • Jenna Elfman describes swimming in Lake Michigan and her daily walks to the Goodman Theatre.
    • "I am definitely 100% at home in the theater with my theater nerd people. Like, these are my people." — Jenna Elfman (05:50)

2. Jenna Elfman’s Chicago Stage Life at Goodman Theatre (05:00–10:00)

• Behind the Scenes at the Play

  • Elfman praises her crew and backstage team — Nicole the stage manager, Andrea the dresser, and others for their behind-the-scenes magic.
  • On backstage camaraderie:
    • "She's like the Kelly Cantley of Ashland Avenue. She's like our first ad she does all the scheduling, but she also makes all the little announcements on the microphone… it's the cutest thing. I just love her." — Jenna Elfman (06:06)

• Office Ladies Fans Come to the Play

  • Elfman enthusiastically describes meeting fans after performances, including international visitors.
    • "One gal flew in all the way from Brazil by herself to see Ashland Avenue. Yes." (08:41)
    • "If theater nerds are not my people, then my people are Office Ladies people. Like, these are my two people." (08:35)
  • She takes photos, greets fans, and feels deep community support.

3. Angela’s Iceland Adventure & The Legendary Penis Museum (10:07–14:37)

• The Story Behind the Visit

  • Fans of The Office know the "Penis Museum" reference from the episode ‘The Sting’. Listeners had previously wondered if it was real—it is.
  • Angela (in Iceland) visits the museum and shares:
    • "Oh, by the way, it's right in the middle of, like, little downtown Reykjavik. You can't miss it." (10:19)
    • "The penises are animals. They're animal penises. Okay? It's not like...not human penis." (10:56)
  • Museum staff turn out to be Office superfans.

• Bringing Back Souvenirs

  • Angela gifts the group “It’s all about dicks” t-shirts, coffee mugs, and totes.
    • Sam: "It's all about dicks. I'm gonna pop the sleeves off that right away." (13:11)
    • Jenna Elfman, upon seeing the mug: "Oh, my gosh. It really is a mug with a penis on it." (13:25)
  • Angela shares a highlight: "I took a picture next to the sperm whale penis. That is a sight to behold." (14:00)
  • She emphasizes Iceland’s kindness, earnestness, and appreciation for The Office.
    • Jenna: "Everyone there is so kind…this community has been so wonderful and supportive." (14:18)

4. Tennis Dream Come True — Angela at the International Tennis Hall of Fame (14:43–17:42)

• Tennis Superstars and Epic Coin Toss Fails
  • Angela recounts being invited to play at the Hall of Fame’s grass courts in Rhode Island during a ceremony for Maria Sharapova and others.
    • "I played with Arantxa Sanchez Vicario...I met Kim Clijsters...the Bryan brothers." (15:20)
    • She nervously whiffs a ceremonial coin toss: "I turned to Maria Sharapova, and I go, you do it. She’s like, what? And Kim's like, angela, you're the coin." (16:41)
  • Angela now texts with Kim Clijsters—her daughter is a huge Office fan.

5. More Name Drops: Eddie Vedder & The Play’s Extended Run (17:46–19:25, 23:19)

• Eddie Vedder’s Surprise

  • Rockstar Eddie Vedder attended Ashland Avenue’s opening night; Jenna describes seeing him “gushing” to playwright Lee.
    • Elfman: “He has something that he would like us to add to the set that he believes should live in the TV shop that is our set…I don't know what it is, but he's like, I need your address immediately so I can send it to you.” (18:14)
    • Fischer: "What's it gonna be? You have to tell us. We all need an update." (19:02)

• The Play Gets Extended

  • "Yes, my play has been extended through October 12th." — Jenna Elfman (23:21)

6. Cassie’s Travel — Victoria Island, Seattle, and Sue Bird Day (20:43–22:28)

• Cassie visited Victoria Island and was in Seattle by chance for the unveiling of WNBA legend Sue Bird’s statue — the first of its kind.
  • "It was the first WNBA statue ever to be unveiled, which is wild to me." (21:19)
  • "It was just cool to be there in that moment...it was just like really cool and empowering." (21:54)

7. Office Ladies Community & Support (24:01–25:08)

• Elfman expresses gratitude for the space to fully be "an actress and a mom" and thanks fans for their support.
  • "Thank you to everybody in the office, ladies, community, for all of your support..." (24:01)
• Jenna Fischer sums up the group’s ethos:
  • “Office Ladies, we go pee when we want to pee. We always have cake on our birthday...And we get to make space for each other to pursue our passions. And this community has been so wonderful and supportive.” (24:43)

Notable Quotes

• On Chicago:

  • Jenna Fischer: "I love it there. Top, new favorite city." (04:01)

• On Community:

  • Jenna Elfman: "If theater nerds are not my people, then my people are Office Ladies people. Like, these are my two people." (08:35)

• On Iceland:

  • Angela Kinsey: "You just get out in nature and people are really earnest, you know. I loved everyone there." (14:03)

• On Play’s Backstage Magic:

  • Jenna Elfman (about her stage manager): "All the things a stage manager has to do. She's like the Kelly Cantley of Ashland Avenue. She does all the scheduling, but she also makes all the little announcements..." (06:06)

• On Iconic Guest:

  • Jenna Elfman: “Mr. Eddie Vedder was there.” (18:12)

• Team's Spirit:

  • Jenna Fischer: "We have as many pockets as we want. And we get to make space for each other to pursue our passions." (24:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:24–05:00: Catching up, mustaches, trips to Hawaii and Chicago
• 05:00–10:00: Life backstage at Goodman Theatre, meeting Office Ladies fans
• 10:07–14:37: Angela’s Iceland trip & the Penis Museum
• 14:43–17:42: Angela’s tennis adventure at the Hall of Fame
• 17:46–19:25: Eddie Vedder’s support and the play’s set
• 20:43–22:28: Cassie’s Seattle trip and attending Sue Bird Day
• 24:01–25:08: Celebrating support, creativity, and community

Final Note

This Friday Chit Chat blends deep friendship, laughter, and behind-the-scenes peek into the hosts’ busy, passion-filled lives outside The Office. From international exploits to niche museums, from acclaimed stage performances to superstar run-ins, the episode shows how the Office Ladies community embraces adventure, supports each other, and makes space for joy—even when that means a penis mug or a swoon-worthy mustache.