Podcast Summary: So True with Caleb Hearon – Episode: "Marie Faustin Wants a Free Couch"
Host: Caleb Hearon
Guest: Marie Faustin
Release Date: June 19, 2025
Introduction
In the "Marie Faustin Wants a Free Couch" episode of So True with Caleb Hearon, beloved gay comedian Caleb Hearon welcomes guest Marie Faustin for an engaging conversation filled with humor, personal anecdotes, and insightful discussions on various aspects of life and the entertainment industry. This episode delves into everything from the quirks of performing live shows to navigating personal relationships and the challenges of modern living.
**1. Past Performances and Rotisserie Chicken Debacle
Caleb and Marie reminisce about their experiences performing in Washington, DC, highlighting a memorable incident involving rotisserie chicken.
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Rotisserie Chicken Rider: Marie shares, “We put the rotisserie chicken in the rider and we say, please have rotisserie chicken there” (01:20). She praises the Balboa venue in San Diego for fulfilling this request perfectly by serving hot, freshly cut chicken, contrasting it with other venues that failed to meet their expectations.
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Cultural Takes on Chicken: The duo humorously debates the best way to cut rotisserie chicken, leading to laughs and shared frustrations about inconsistent seasoning and preparation across different venues.
**2. Negotiation and Transparency in the Entertainment Industry
Caleb and Marie discuss the importance of negotiating fair compensation and the benefits of transparency regarding earnings.
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Negotiating Contracts: Marie emphasizes, “Whenever you get a contract... I ask for more. Even before I had a lawyer, I was like, double it. Triple it” (06:45). She advocates for performers to confidently negotiate their fees to ensure they are adequately compensated.
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Transparency: They touch upon the challenges of discussing salaries openly, with Marie stating, “I would flat out tell you the exact number” (04:24), promoting a culture of openness to prevent undervaluation and exploitation in the industry.
**3. Movie Discussions: "Sinners" and Denzel Washington
The conversation shifts to recent films, particularly focusing on "Sinners" and the versatile talents of Denzel Washington.
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"Sinners" Review: Caleb remarks, “The scene where he teaches the little girl how to negotiate” (07:02), prompting a discussion on the movie’s unexpected plot twists and character development.
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Denzel’s Versatility: Both hosts express admiration for Denzel Washington’s range, with Marie stating, “He can do anything” (23:10). They explore his roles from dramatic characters in "John Q" to his powerful performances in franchise films like "The Equalizer."
**4. Personal Reflections on Relationships and Living Alone
Marie and Caleb delve into their personal lives, discussing the complexities of relationships, the desire for pets, and the nuances of maintaining personal space.
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Desire for a Dog: Marie shares her struggles with committing to pet ownership, saying, “I'm really one of those. I'm really, like, I would get... but I can't commit” (15:04). Caleb relates by recounting his brief experience dating someone with a Yorkie, highlighting the challenges of mismatched expectations.
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Living Alone: Both hosts emphasize the importance of personal space and the difficulties of cohabitation. Marie humorously notes, “I can walk through my apartment with the lights off and not hit anything” (35:29), underscoring her preference for maintaining a pristine and organized living environment.
**5. Rent Increases and Landlord Practices
A significant portion of the episode addresses the rising cost of living, specifically focusing on skyrocketing rent prices and unethical landlord behaviors.
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Rent Hikes in Kansas City: Marie reveals, “Kansas City has the highest rate of rent increase in the country” (71:20). She criticizes landlords and private equity firms for colluding to artificially inflate rents, making housing unaffordable for many.
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Landlord Accountability: The hosts discuss the lack of governmental intervention to regulate these practices. Marie strongly states, “They made money off of us. They're colluding” (74:16), highlighting the systemic issues that contribute to housing instability.
**6. Fun Segment: True or False Game
To infuse some light-heartedness, Caleb and Marie engage in a game of "True or False," where Caleb poses various statements for Marie to verify.
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Interactive Play: Marie demonstrates her quick thinking and humor, correctly identifying statements like “Butterflies taste with their wings” (78:53) as false, and “Omnivores eat both plants and meat” (80:33) as true.
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Humorous Banter: The segment showcases their playful chemistry, with Marie jokingly saying, “Look out, Jeff Bezos” (80:38) and Caleb impersonating landlords to humorous effect.
**7. Closing Thoughts and Reflections on Life
In the final segments, Marie and Caleb share their personal philosophies and reflections on life’s unpredictability.
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Embracing Individuality: Marie asserts, “To enjoy your life, you just have to do what you want and wear what you want and say what you want” (47:03). She emphasizes the importance of authenticity over conforming to societal expectations.
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Financial Reflections: They humorously debate the concept of wealth, with Marie quipping, “If I was a billionaire, I would be embarrassed” (74:54), underscoring a desire for financial moderation and the avoidance of excessive wealth accumulation.
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Memory and Stress: Both hosts discuss common issues like forgetfulness and stress management, sharing relatable moments that resonate with listeners navigating similar challenges.
Notable Quotes
- “Whenever you get a contract... I ask for more. Even before I had a lawyer, I was like, double it. Triple it.” – Marie Faustin (06:45)
- “He can do anything.” – Marie Faustin on Denzel Washington (23:10)
- “Kansas City has the highest rate of rent increase in the country.” – Marie Faustin (71:20)
- “To enjoy your life, you just have to do what you want and wear what you want and say what you want.” – Marie Faustin (47:03)
- “If I was a billion dollars, you have a free rent.” – Marie Faustin (74:17)
Conclusion
The episode "Marie Faustin Wants a Free Couch" offers listeners a blend of humor, candid conversations, and thoughtful insights into the lives of comedians navigating the entertainment world and personal challenges. Through Marie's engaging storytelling and Caleb's entertaining hosting, the episode underscores the importance of authenticity, fair negotiation, and resilience in the face of everyday struggles.
Time Stamps Reference
Note: The above time stamps correspond to notable moments in the transcript for easy reference.