Stavvy's World #150: Rosebud Baker
Release Date: October 13, 2025
Host: Stavros Halkias
Guest: Rosebud Baker
Episode Overview
In this episode, comedian Rosebud Baker joins Stavros Halkias for a late-night, freewheeling conversation about modern adulthood, parenting, sex, drugs, class, relationships, and the current state of comedy and politics. With their characteristic candor and humor, they field listener calls on everything from partners' odd behaviors to tricky family secrets, while sharing personal stories and observations about shifting cultural and economic realities.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Late-Night Partying & The Toll of Parenting
00:02 – 04:15
- Stav and Rosebud kick off discussing a friend's birthday party Rosebud attended—Stav pokes fun at being left out, riffing on the gender/sexuality makeup of such parties.
- They recount the presence of edibles and even Plan B on the snack tables.
- Anecdote: Stav talks about naively assuming a past partner was on birth control until a tense “Obvious Child” movie night forced a panicked Plan B run.
- Both reflect on the exhaustion and life-overhaul involved in child-rearing, with Rosebud emphatic about being “done” after one kid.
“People think, ‘I'm just gonna get it all out of the way’... the next time you see them, they look like they're fleeing a war-torn country.” — Rosebud Baker (04:00)
2. Childhood, Refugee Stories & Spiritual People
05:03 – 07:41
- Elders (producer/friend) recounts being raised as a refugee, his time in a Greek monastery, and reuniting with the nun who taught him Greek.
- Stav, Rosebud, and Elders discuss meeting deeply spiritual people—how their presence and unwavering eye contact can feel “poetic” or unnerving.
“Sometimes people just have a vibe, like you feel like they know so much about you.” — Stavros Halkias (07:44)
3. Only Children, New York Kids & Adulthood Shifts
09:00 – 10:48
- Rosebud rebuffs anxieties about her daughter growing up "weird" as an only child, describing the communal, socialized upbringing of city kids.
- Reflect on the extended “adolescence” of modern creative careers, realizing they're now the older adults they used to mock.
“Now I’m just like, oh, this is what—like, I was making fun of my friends at home when they were 26…and now I’m the same way, but I’m 36.” — Stavros Halkias (14:10)
4. Fertility, Aging, and Health Anxieties
15:38 – 20:10
- Droll banter about late-in-life fertility issues, “old nut,” and debating if Stav should “freeze a nice batch” for future safety.
- Elders tells a hilariously grotesque story about a testicular infection ("epididymitis") and his regret not documenting it.
- They lament the ubiquity of plastics/microplastics, and speculate on the modern world’s future health hazards.
“My sperm is like 4% microplastics, 3% Ben and Jerry’s.” — Elders (19:23)
5. Sex, Drugs, and Comedy Radio (and Podcast) Memories
20:13 – 22:27
- Reminisce about early shock-jock podcast/radio stunts.
- Stav describes a particularly wild visit to Anthony Cumia’s show, where a porn star unexpectedly “started saying some wildly racist shit,” and how unhinged the scene became.
“I was with a guy from Opie & Anthony with a racist porn star. Shit’s going good.” — Stavros Halkias (21:13)
6. Food, Cigarettes, and Europe vs. America
25:05 – 28:29
- The group discusses the temptation of cigarettes when traveling in Europe versus the U.S., and how European food habits contrast with American processed-junk cravings.
- Both Stav and Rosebud note post-vacation struggles with re-entry into the “mac & cheese and snack foods” cycle.
“My first meal was air fried chicken tenders and mac and cheese, and I couldn't kick that meal for five days.” — Stavros Halkias (27:49)
7. Drug Use: Crack, Adderall, Pills, and Suburban Upbringings
28:31 – 37:02
- Deep dive riff about smoking crack, upper-downer drug cocktails, their own “pill and weed” combos in youth, and how wealth and class shaped drug accessibility (“every one of my friend’s parents was on something...rich kid in the suburbs”—Rosebud).
- Joke about future “artisanal crack” trends and safe, rebranded versions.
8. Class, Decline of the Middle, & Rise of Podcasting
39:33 – 42:43
- Rosebud notes increasing class betrayal as inherited wealth fades for many, observing, “if you grew up with money, that's going to end with me.”
- Both muse on podcasting’s weird emergence as a reliable career as other industries collapse.
9. Culture Wars, Comedy, and Politics
41:44 – 55:53
- Serious reflections on how culture-war topics (trans issues, free speech, censorship) are weaponized by politicians and hack comics alike.
- Both host and guest express comic frustration over lazy “edgy” topics, arguing for riskier, more creative comedy.
“How do we let ourselves go like this, as comics?” — Rosebud Baker (49:07)
“Try and be a funny fucking person.” — Stavros Halkias (55:08)
Listener Call-In Highlights
Call 1: Boyfriend’s “Nuts-Sniffing” Habit
57:01 – 63:00
- A caller asks how to address her neurodivergent boyfriend’s habit of smelling his hand after touching his genitals, sometimes in public.
- Stav & Rosebud agree: it’s not about neurodivergence—he’s just overly comfortable. Rosebud’s advice: public, good-natured shaming to create self-awareness.
“Just be like, did you just put your hand down your pants and smell your own nuts at the table? You need to say it out loud.” — Rosebud Baker (61:10)
Twisted Ass Up Question of the Week: Father-in-law’s Secret Emotional Affair
66:48 – 77:18
- A man learns his close father-in-law is having an emotional affair and is sworn to secrecy, unsure whether to tell his wife.
- The hosts agree it’s an awful spot—the father-in-law is in the wrong for burdening him. General advice: keep quiet for now, unless things escalate ("if anything changes...tell your wife").
- Rosebud observes, even as a confidante, friends who reveal affairs get ditched, not partners.
“If anything changes, then you tell your wife. But as it is now, I wouldn’t.” — Rosebud Baker (74:28)
Call 3: Fiancee Calls by Ex’s Name
78:29 – 86:47
- A caller is unnerved when his fiancée, after six years together, accidentally calls him by her ex’s name.
- Both agree: one time, it’s odd but not proof of anything serious. Unless it becomes a pattern, let it go.
“You're worried about a flood and you just saw a speck of water on the floor...just put a little paper towel and keep it moving.” — Stavros Halkias (86:08)
Call 4: ‘Loser in Love’ Seeks Advice
88:50 – 97:47
- A self-described “loser” lists his good qualities but is baffled at never having a relationship.
- Panel: He's probably not putting himself out there enough, or may be a bit too reserved and polite (“Kenneth from 30 Rock”). Advice: Take action—apps, socializing, and possibly a “confidence booster” encounter before dating in earnest.
Call 5: Can I Stay Friends with Brother’s Ex?
98:53 – 104:01
- A woman’s brother cheats on his great girlfriend, and now caller wants to know if she can keep a relationship with her.
- Final consensus: It depends on what the ex wants—it's not the caller's decision.
Call 6: Living with Partner’s Hoarder Parents
105:19 – 114:01
- Caller has mooched twelve months living with boyfriend’s hoarder parents in an expensive city; she senses they want their space back.
- Advice: Time to make a plan and be honest. It’s not wrong to ask for more time, but expect to move soon.
Call 7: Integrating with Large Friend Groups – A Listener’s Perfect Advice
114:15 – 117:49
- Listener offers a strategic formula: lightly roast the group “whipping boy,” then defend him when others join in; make gentle fun of the “alpha” guys.
- Group agrees: “Really good advice”—this is exactly how to break into a large, established friend group.
Notable Quotes
-
Stavros Halkias, on podcasting-as-job:
“Podcasting is the only growth industry in America. How did this happen?” (41:12) -
Rosebud Baker, on drugs in the suburbs:
“Every one of my friend’s parents was on something...you go to your friend’s house, you look in their medicine cabinet—I still do it.” (36:27) -
Stavros Halkias, on 'culture wars' and comedy:
“The Republican Party has become like hack comedians...if you don’t have a punchline, you go for trans or autism.” (43:12) -
Rosebud Baker, on ‘woke’ vs. culture war:
“We need to bring WOKE back after three days, and we need to stop having masked agents.” (53:58)
Natural Tone & Humor
Fans of Stav’s World will recognize the episode’s blend of confessional, playfully vulgar banter and big-hearted advice, punctuated by sharp social observations, colorful tangents, and Rosebud’s trademark acerbic insight.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Parenting stories & party talk: 00:02–04:15
- Spirituality & refugee memories: 05:03–07:41
- Only child/NY kids/society shift: 09:00–10:48
- Fertility & health anxiety: 15:38–20:10
- Testicle infection story: 18:13–19:29
- Drug & pill stories: 28:31–37:02
- Political/culture-war riffs: 41:44–55:53
- Call: boyfriend’s odd habit: 57:01–63:00
- Twisted question (father-in-law): 66:48–77:18
- Call: ex’s name slip-up: 78:29–86:47
- Call: “loser in love”: 88:50–97:47
- Call: brother’s ex: 98:53–104:01
- Call: living with hoarder parents: 105:19–114:01
- Advice for big friend groups: 114:15–117:49
Plugs
-
Rosebud Baker:
- On tour – tickets at rosebudbaker.com
- Netflix special “Motherlode”
- Socials: @rosebudbaker on TikTok & Instagram
-
Stavros Halkias:
- Tour dates and podcast at stavvy.biz (implied)
- Usual call-in number: 904-800-STAV
In Summary
A classic “Stavvy’s World” hang with sharp, honest, deeply funny takes on adulthood, addiction, politics, and the endless hustle for happiness and connection. Rosebud Baker proves a generous, game guest both in her stories and in advice to those seeking wisdom in the wilds of modern life.