The JTrain Podcast: "I Only Hook Up With Men Who Love Heated Rivalry"

Host: Jared Freid
Guest: Liza Treyger
Date: January 14, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode is a classic JTrain mix of personal anecdotes, observational humor, and candid talk about obsessions, travel, comedy, and pop culture—with an especially deep dive into the steamy appeal of TV drama "Heated Rivalry." Liza Treyger, a favorite recurring guest and fellow comedian, joins host Jared Freid to riff on everything from airline loyalty and performing on the road, to the intricacies of sexual chemistry and fanbases. The tone is warm, fast-paced, and irreverently honest throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Airline Anecdotes & Delta Loyalty (00:19 - 17:36)

• Travel & Drinking on Flights:

  • Liza shares she's entering a new "drinking on flights era," having normally been a non-drinker but recently discovering the pleasure of an in-flight vodka soda.
  • Jared relates, joking about his former first-class-only drinking rule:

    "I used to have a 'only drink in first class' policy because I'll only drink out of the china... feels good." (01:32)

  • Both describe the camaraderie (or lack thereof) with fellow travelers and the hilarity of accidentally setting drinking trends on planes.

• Delta Loyalty & Complaints:

  • Both comedians commiserate over their Delta Airlines loyalty—the inconveniences (layovers, no direct flights), the emotional ups and downs, and critique the airline's approach to “lifetime achievement” milestones.
  • Jared shares a story of a 2-million-mile Delta flyer being celebrated in Delta Comfort instead of first class:

    "If you hit 2 million miles while in Delta Comfort...either don't announce it or put me in first class. Don't let people see they're aspiring to nothing." (16:31)

  • Liza calculates her own miles, acknowledges the grind of self-funded travel versus company-paid road warriors, and shares the humiliation of being squeezed into bad seats due to last-minute ticket changes.

Promoting Stand-Up Dates & Comedian Life (05:49 - 10:47, 39:12 - 41:04)

• Upcoming Shows:
  • Jared and Liza discuss show dates in New York (Gramercy Theatre on Jared's birthday, Feb 21), Somerville, MA (Jan 30), and Kansas City (Feb 27 - Mar 1).
  • Liza shares the odd compliment from her new agent, emphasizing that venues love her even if ticket sales lag:

    "For as little tickets you sell, the way people want you back at their venues... I've never seen it before. I go, 'I'm a pleasure.'" (06:47)

  • Affection for JTrain fans as superior audiences—positive, fun-loving, and open-minded.
  • Jared fondly reminisces about fun post-show hangs, mutual respect in the comedy community, and jokingly calls Liza his go-to friend for spontaneous outings.

NYC Living Woes & Podcasting Realities (20:01 - 22:00)

• Noisy Radiators and Nostalgia:
  • Liza’s impossibly loud NYC radiator interrupts the recording, providing comedic fodder.
  • Jared likens the sound to “a group of homeless people forming a band outside a Knicks game.”
  • Liza shares her guests’ terrified reaction, underscoring the odd comfort and chaos of New York living.

"Heated Rivalry" – The Viral Show & Sexual Dynamics (23:39 - 33:56)

• Obsessive Fandom:

  • Liza is “in full heated rivalry heat moment,” obsessed with the drama series and even attending themed workout classes.
  • She describes the show as the "sexiest thing" she's ever seen, replacing her need for porn:

    “I canceled my porn subscriptions. Like, I don't... My porn doesn't work for me anymore. I don't know what I'm gonna do.” (26:42)

• Consent, Power, and Representation:

  • They analyze why the male-male dynamic is so hot and why it resonates with straight women:
    • The pleasure of seeing “aggressive, dominating but very tender and communicative sex…”
    • Both leads are equals, rich and powerful, avoiding tired narratives of imbalance.
    • The show is written from a women’s gaze and by a gay man, offering new layers of representation and sexual agency.
  • Liza expands:

    "...it's this aggressive sex or like dominating but very tender and like communicative, which I think is cool...your pleasure and your boundaries...are being listened to. That's what's hard about my porn. I can't watch anymore..." (28:17)

  • The conversation explores how straight women are drawn to smutty male/male fiction for its attention to mutual pleasure and lack of female objectification.
  • Jared is surprised, learning about lesbian and straight women’s historic enjoyment of gay male erotica:

    "I didn't know that women would be [into this]...Lesbians have historically loved gay male porn?" (30:22)

• Fidelity to the Book & Performance:

  • Liza praises the acting—especially a Russian-language monologue.
  • She emphasizes the positive portrayal:

    "To see this... It's just so nice to see this... you know you're not watching a woman be disrespected." (31:12)

  • Jared promises to keep watching, motivated by Liza’s enthusiasm.

Games – The Applebee’s Appetizer Draft (34:05 - 38:08)

• Jared presents Liza with the Applebee’s appetizer menu, playing a game to choose three apps they'd share.
• Liza’s picks:
  • Spinach & artichoke dip (“I want that, if I'm going to Applebee's” 36:49)
  • Boneless wings (“Controversial. But I like boneless wings” 37:15)
  • Pickle fries (“For fun, I would try the new pickle fries” 37:43)
• Jared enthusiastically agrees with her ordering skills, sharing mutual “cousin energy” and a history of great meals together.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Delta Loyalty:

  "Delta stands for life, which I get mad at Delta, like they're a family member." – Jared (04:25)

• On Comedy Audiences:

  "Your fans are the best people. Anytime J Train people are at my shows, they're the best." – Liza (05:49)

• On Sexual Chemistry in "Heated Rivalry":

  "The way he fucks is like... I canceled my porn subscriptions." – Liza (26:42)

• On Representation:

  "It's aggressive sex or like dominating, but very tender and communicative... your pleasure and your boundaries...are being listened to." – Liza (28:17)

• On the Applebee’s Game:

  "Boneless at Applebee’s is the answer. Bone-in at Applebee’s is the incorrect answer." – Jared (37:15)

• On Shared Roots:

  "Maybe our families were in the same Russian village. Maybe that, like, do you ever think about that?" – Jared (38:27)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:19 – 04:25: Drinking on flights, Delta loyalty banter
• 05:49 – 10:47: Live show promotions, agent stories, mutual respect for fans
• 16:31 – 18:03: Delta’s embarrassing 2-million-miler announcement
• 20:01 – 22:00: NYC radiators and podcasting interruptions
• 23:39 – 33:56: "Heated Rivalry" fandom, sexual dynamics, and representation in media
• 34:05 – 38:08: Applebee’s appetizer draft game
• 39:12 – 41:04: Closing camaraderie, St. Patrick’s Day, birthday jokes

Final Thoughts

This episode is perfect for fans who love listening to two witty comics explore everything from the minutiae of air travel to the deeper pleasures of queer representation on screen. Liza’s obsession with "Heated Rivalry" drives a surprisingly thoughtful discussion about sexual dynamics, equality, and why certain portrayals resonate so powerfully, especially with women. Longtime listeners will recognize the familiar blend of playful games, inside jokes, and warmth that makes the JTrain Podcast a Monday-morning staple.