The JTrain Podcast

Episode: My Mom Does the Hell Outta Xmas
Host: Jared Freid
Guest: Caitlin Peluffo
Date: December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

In this festive, laughter-filled episode, comedian Jared Freid welcomes fellow comic Caitlin Peluffo back to the JTrain Podcast for a Chit Chat Wednesday that revolves around life on the road as a comedian, the spectacle of her mother’s Christmas decorations, navigating singlehood post-breakup, and kicking off 2026 with a hilarious “Flabby or Fab” game judging upcoming events. The episode thrives on witty banter, relatable personal stories, and generous helpings of holiday spirit.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Life on the Road as a Comedian

[01:16–09:47]

• The Evolution of Doing Comedy on the Road:

  • Both Jared and Caitlin reminisce about the early years of stand-up, aspiring to travel to “obscure places” and love the “beauty of solitude” in hotels and new towns.
    • Jared: “There's this, like, beauty of solitude on the road... all the stuff getting there is a little more redundant.” [02:05]
  • As success brings people specifically to see them, performing becomes more fun but the routine parts feel increasingly monotonous.
  • Both share vivid, humorous anecdotes about random venues—Jared raves about The Comedy Vault in Batavia, Illinois, especially a live band karaoke where “real people get up there with real dreams.” [04:03]
  • Caitlin shares upcoming tour plans: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, January 8th-10th, 2026. [07:00]

• Travel Quirks and Comforts:

  • The realities of “comedy club coffee,” making bad hotel room coffee (“just drinking cancer”), and the shock of finding nothing open late in smaller towns. [07:54]
  • Jared passionately recommends Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor as the ultimate spot for thoughtful gifts and sandwiches.

Caitlin’s Mom: “Does the Hell Outta Christmas”

[09:47–20:04]

• Full Home Tour of Christmas Decorations:

  • Caitlin’s parents moved to a 55+ community, giving rise to a “pared down” yet still elaborate array of Christmas decor.
  • Caitlin gives a detailed, comedic video tour, including:
    • Christmas tree in her room
    • Christmas flags, frosty flags, jingle bells, reindeer-names art
    • Santa displays, a gingerbread house village (“It’s a gingerbread house village. Yes.” - Caitlin [13:50])
    • Decorative Christmas scapes and a full nativity set
    • Stockings (traditionally containing fruit, small gifts like cards, per grandma’s Great Depression roots: “She was raised during the great depression in an orphanage. Okay... So enjoy your citrus.” - Caitlin [14:57])

• Family Dynamics and Traditions:

  • The Palufo household persists in maximal Christmas regardless of adult children's ages or statuses.
  • “My mom is a badass... I don't need you to have kids for me to have my Frosty Village.” – Caitlin [17:46, 18:02]
  • Even with fewer grandchildren around, Christmas remains non-negotiably extra.

Being Single, Dating, and Personal Growth

[21:23–25:51]

• Reflections on a Year of Singledom:

  • Caitlin, a year post-engagement break-up, describes this Christmas as “a lot more fun”:
    • “I have no one, and therefore I have no one to worry about or text. No more feeling sad.” [10:20]
    • She ditched a “hard” three-month relationship for the peace of mind of being alone.
    • Now, her energy goes to fulfilling activities, friendship, and self-care, rather than “taking care of anyone else.”
    • Reframing solitude as positive: “If I don’t want to do something, I just say no. And I love it.” [22:35]
  • Jared highlights the importance of recognizing incompatibility: “What’s difficult and not a match is like a hard—it’s really hard to figure that out sometimes.” [24:06]

• Why the Last Relationship Didn’t Work:

  • Physical distance (NY-Philadelphia) plus differing communication and humor styles (she likes to joke through tension; he found that uncomfortable).
  • “No one's being a bad person, it's just incompatibility. Or just... And that's it.” — Caitlin [25:23]
  • Disposability of partners, often maligned, is a hidden boon: “In a situation like that... it’s kind of a good thing.” – Jared [25:26]

Holiday Games: "Flabby or Fab" for 2026

[26:19–36:51]

• Premise: Jared lists major 2026 events; Caitlin judges each as either “Flabby” or “Fab(ulous)” based on her gut and comic rationale.

• Highlights:

  • Winter Olympics in Italy (27:07)
    • Both: Fab
    • “The Winter Olympics in Italy? Come on. That's gonna be beautiful.” – Caitlin [27:37]
  • FIFA World Cup in North America (29:51)
    • Jared: Flabby (dreads self-proclaimed soccer experts using British lingo)
    • Caitlin: Fab (“Soccer is my favorite sport.”), but agrees soccer hipsters are “for sure losers.” [29:56, 31:09]
    • “They studied Abroad for half a semester and they're like, ‘Oh, the kits are just so garish.’” – Caitlin [31:09]
  • 250th Anniversary of America (31:36)
    • Both: Flabby
    • “It’s our last one.” – Caitlin [31:36], “We don't need any other reason to discuss things.” – Jared [32:01]
  • 50th Season of Survivor (32:57)
    • Caitlin: Flabby (“We watch Amazing Race.”), anxious watching people connive and backstab.
    • Jared: Considers it Fab for himself (“maybe it'll give me a reason to get back into Survivor.”) [33:36]
  • Mormon Wives Star Taylor Frankie Paul as Bachelorette (34:14)
    • Both: Flabby
    • Caitlin wary of “too much religion”; Jared excited for “messy” reality TV content but dreads walking religion-joke tightrope. [34:32]
  • New Avengers Movie (36:21)
    • Both: Flabby
    • Caitlin done after dating a superhero fanatic (“My ex was literally named Captain America. If you're a superhero person or a video game person, you're dead to me.” [36:26])
    • Jared bemoans Marvel movie fatigue.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Holiday Decor:
  • “There is so much Christmas stuff in this house. Where does it all go? Is there a Christmas closet?” – Jared [18:02]
  • Caitlin’s mom pops into the tour, showcasing politeness: “Your mom is being so polite and nice... She's truly an angel sent down from heaven.” – Jared [12:46]
• On Post-Breakup Joy:
  • “Now this Christmas is the first Christmas where I don't have a, a man even floating around in here. That does feel good.” – Caitlin [22:57]
• On The Comedy Road:
  • “I've gone, I'll name a room. Let me name drop. Let me go to Plug City, Batavia, Illinois. The Comedy Vault...” – Jared [03:26]
• On Dating as a Comedian:
  • “I'm a comedian... I make jokes, and he... He's never dated anyone creative like that.” – Caitlin [23:24]
• On Soccer Superfans:
  • “Oh, they have a great kit. Fuck off. You're from Jersey. It's a jersey, not a kit.” – Jared [30:52]
• On Marvel Fatigue:
  • “My ex was literally named Captain America. I don't care if I never see it ever. Avengers a movie again in my life.” – Caitlin [36:26]

Important Timestamps

• Life on the road reflections – [01:16–09:47]
• Ann Arbor plans and plugs – [06:36–07:19]
• Zingerman’s sandwich reverence – [08:31–09:47]
• Holiday home tour begins – [10:44–14:08]
• Mom cameo and traditions – [12:46, 14:49]
• Discussing family, kids, and Christmas abundance – [17:27–20:04]
• Singlehood reflections and dating break – [21:23–25:51]
• “Flabby or Fab” game on 2026 events – [26:19–36:51]
• Show plugs and special announcement – [37:35–38:25]

Guest & Show Plugs

• Caitlin’s Socials & Tour:
  • Instagram: @caitlinpalufo
  • Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase: Jan 8-10, 2026
  • Upcoming special (target release: Feb 2026)

For vivid holiday cheer, tales from the road, and honest, hilarious perspectives on singlehood, this episode is a cozy, delightful listen—especially for fans of maximalist Christmas, stand-up comedy, and relatable reflections on modern relationships.