Trash Tuesday w/ Esther Povitsky & Khalyla Kuhn

Episode: "Peter Kim is Tapped In ft. Rudy Jules"

Date: January 6, 2026

Main Theme & Overview

This episode features comedian Peter Kim alongside co-hosts Khalyla Kuhn, Esther Povitsky, and regular "Rudy" Jules. They delve deeply—and hilariously—into Asian identity, cultural and social dynamics on social media, sexuality, and the politics of inclusion, all through their irreverent, trauma-unloading, "hot girl" lens. The conversation covers everything from the viral “H Martgate” TikTok controversy, inter- and intra-Asian relations, queer identity, and even gym hookup folklore. The hosts and guests navigate personal anecdotes, identity confessions, and playful banter while addressing larger cultural discourses in a sharp, often self-deprecating tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Live Show and Community Vibe

• [00:18] Announcement of Trash Tuesday's live show in LA at the Comedy Store, showcasing excitement for in-person community events.
• Khalyla promises: "It's just going to be a really fun special night... bringing in our regulars from the pods." (00:44)

2. Asian Identity and Representation

• [02:46] Discussion on differentiating and identifying specific Asian backgrounds, including Peter’s comfort with being asked about his Korean background.
• Peter on ethnic guessing: "I think I'm, like, 88% on it... But East Asians, I got it down." (03:21)
• Jules admits, "I still get confused with East Asians, especially Chinese and Korean." (03:35)

3. Korean Spa Anecdote & Bobby Lee

• Peter recounts an initiation with Bobby Lee before working together, where Lee insists they get naked in a steam room for "trust" (05:56).
• "We need to be fully naked together because I can't work with anyone that I haven't seen naked." – Peter Kim, quoting Bobby Lee (06:19)
• A funny retelling of a literal and metaphorical "sizing up": Bobby: "So you think you're better than me?" (07:26)

4. Dating, Desire, and Queer Experience

• Jules preparing for her first date with a woman, discussing nerves, "am I the stud?" (10:43)
• The group breaks down LGBTQ+ labels: stud, femme, stem, verse, and how they play out in dating (11:11).
• "I'm sub," Jules declares; Peter: "So you're femme. In bed." (11:34)

5. Viral TikTok Controversies: H Martgate & Asian Social Media

• Peter and the group break down the months-long "H Martgate," centering on identity, gatekeeping in Asian spaces, and public apologies [(17:48) – (22:01)].
• Peter: "Now Black TikTok's talking about it. ... It's infighting that other people are watching and just eating popcorn and having a great time." (23:46)
• Discussion of cultural boundaries and what it means to respectfully enter POC spaces: "You just have to enter with respect." – Peter Kim (26:15)
• Esther: "Painful in your bones when someone yucks your yum." (27:13)

6. Inter-Asian and Interracial Dynamics

• Peter shares family drama about his brother having a baby with a non-Korean, and maternal preferences that mask generational biases (31:32).
• Discussion of colorism and anti-Blackness in Asian communities, connecting individual bias to systemic issues (30:22).
• "Anyone in America is anti-black. It's not just immigrants. ... It's ingrained into the system of it all." – Peter Kim (30:07)

7. Open Relationships, Sex, and Queer Culture

• Discussion of sexual preferences, open relationships, and how gender affects sexual vulnerability (44:01–47:30).
• Peter: "For men, you're entering someone else's space... you don't have to be as guarded." (45:04)
• "Physical safety is such a huge thing for me." – Guest (45:35)

8. Gym Hookups & Gay Male Sexual Subculture

• Peter gives the inside scoop on LA gym/steam room culture and candidly describes how spontaneous these encounters can be (62:12–64:12).
• "Our organs are outside … if I'm hard and you're hard, we're going." (63:39)

9. Sexual Trends and New Labels

• Introduction to "sides" as a rising identification within younger queer subcultures: preferring everything but "turkey" (penetration)—just the "Thanksgiving sides" (54:45).
• "No one's having turkey. It's sides-giving." – Khalyla (54:59)
• Open discussion of sexual acts, boundaries, and learning by doing or with the help of friends/porn (58:03).

10. Sexual Preferences: Respect and Negotiation

• Dialogue about sexual acts as a matter of preference, consent, and mutual pleasure (53:20–54:05).
• "If that's the case, then okay—she better use a toy and get down there and do something." – Peter Kim (53:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Intergenerational Trauma & Food:
  “Painful in your bones when someone yucks your yum.” — Esther Povitsky (27:13)
  "Like, I have trauma still from being in the cafeteria and someone being like, is that baloney?" — Esther (27:15)

• On Gatekeeping Cultural Spaces:
  "If you’re there buying stuff and just getting in, getting out... fine. But if you’re the girl who treats Asian products like it’s some like, SeaWorld, Disney World—yeah, I'll side-eye the f*** out of you.” — Guest (25:03)

• On Queerness and Relationship Norms:
  "The intimacy thing, I can relate to, because for me, like, in order to really feel sexual in the moment, I need to feel safe." — Guest (45:25)
  "I want a guy that reminds me of my church bully—you know what I mean?" — Peter Kim (43:31)

• On Subcultural Gay Trends:
  "Younger Gen Z generation do not have intercourse anymore… now there's a new thing called Sides." — Peter Kim (54:34)
  "No one's having turkey. It's sides-giving." — Khalyla (54:59)

• On Public Sexual Culture Differences:
  "Our organs are outside, so there's not much communication needed. If I'm hard and you're hard, we're going.” — Peter Kim (63:39)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:18 – Live show announcement; the comfort and excitement of in-person pod community
• 02:46–03:35 – Discussing Asian ethnic distinctions; identity questions
• 05:56–07:26 – Peter Kim’s naked spa story with Bobby Lee
• 10:43–13:16 – Jules's anticipation of her first date with a woman; breakdown of LGBTQ+ labels
• 17:48–23:46 – Full breakdown and history of "H Martgate" and Asian social media drama
• 25:03–27:47 – Authenticity and respect in ethnic spaces, "yucking the yum"
• 31:32–32:29 – Peter’s family wrestles with interracial relationships and generational biases
• 44:01–47:30 – Gay vs. straight intimacy, gendered vulnerability, "church bully" crushes
• 54:34–55:34 – "Sides" as a new sexual orientation label
• 62:12–64:12 – LA gym/steam room hookup folklore revealed by Peter Kim

Additional Highlights

• Hockey Butt vs. Donkey Booty: Running joke comparing athletic butts and fashion problems, setting a playful tone (00:00; 47:37).
• Personal Anxieties: Multiple confessions of being “triggered” or confused by familial resemblance, highlighting empathy and humor around identity (09:15).
• Peter on Open Relationships: Insights into how his and his partner’s open relationship works: "Do it with people we don't know... just not intimate dealings." (60:44)

Tone and Style

• Conversational, irreverent, self-deprecating, and inclusive
• Open, non-judgmental discussion of sexuality, identity, family, and social controversy
• Candid, sometimes explicit, always playful (with moments of poignant vulnerability)

For Listeners Who Haven't Tuned In

This episode is a quintessential "Trash Tuesday" ride: wild, intimate confessions; sharp, funny social observation; no-holds-barred cultural commentary; and the comfort of honest, heartfelt friendship. If you've ever wondered how Asian, queer, or internet subcultures intersect—and what it's like to process all that through trauma dumping and jokes—this is your must-listen.

Hosts:
Khalyla Kuhn, Esther Povitsky
Guests:
Peter Kim, Rudy Jules

Check out Peter Kim: @PeterKZ on all socials and YouTube (66:09)
Catch up with future episodes and Trash Tuesday live!