What's Our Podcast? with Beck Bennett & Kyle Mooney

Episode: Tig Notaro (Dec 31, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this rich and playful episode, Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney continue their search for the true identity of their podcast—with the help of their special guest, acclaimed comedian Tig Notaro. Amid the signature nonsense and digressions that define the show, the hosts and Tig riff on topics ranging from New Year's rituals and parenting dilemmas to the surprisingly fascinating world of mountain goats. The episode stands out for its mix of goofy improvisation, sincere conversation, and an ultimately heartfelt exploration of life, death, and living with purpose.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. In Search of a Podcast Theme

[00:16–04:22]

• Beck and Kyle open with humorous banter and self-referential confusion about the purpose of their podcast.
• Discussion of potential New Year’s Eve instructions devolves into absurd, intentionally convoluted directions.
• “We don’t know what our podcast is about, and I still don’t know what you’re about.” — Beck Bennett [01:29]
• Kyle proposes listeners could time the podcast so Tig’s appearance counts down the New Year, but the hosts rapidly lose track of their own logic.

2. New Year’s Eve Chitchat and Resolutions

[04:22–13:00]

• The hosts joke about warm-up routines and longstanding quirks (e.g., Kyle always having wet hair).
• Playful discussion about healthy resolutions, including reducing phone use and reconnecting with physical, child-like joy (rolling down hills).
• Parenting and physical games from their childhoods are recounted: “You can hyperventilate and kind of strangle each other and pass out—all sorts of fun stuff…” — Beck Bennett, jokingly [15:22]

3. Introduction of Tig Notaro

[16:02]

• Beck expresses both excitement and intimidation about Tig: "When I found out you were coming, I was like, wow, she's coming to talk to us... I'm intimidated." — Beck Bennett [17:38]
• Tig admits she's fresh from a midday bubble bath, explaining her wife is sick and describing the chaos of solo parenting.

4. Parenting — Imagination, Honesty, and Santa Claus

[18:31–25:46]

• The group discusses how they encourage imagination with their kids but struggle with “the gray area” between playing and lying.
• A deep dive into the ethics of the Santa myth—Tig and the hosts reflect on their discomfort with literally lying to children about Santa for behavioral control.
  • "It's a lie. It's a lie." — Tig Notaro [24:03]
• Tig recounts her own childhood experience with “naughty and nice lists,” leading to stressful Christmases with little difference in outcome.

5. Podcast Structure: What Makes a Good Show?

[27:06–34:42]

• Kyle and Beck seek Tig’s advice as a veteran podcaster (now on her fourth show, Handsome).
• Tig explains her current podcast has guests submit video questions, which are then answered and discussed—a format she loves for its simplicity and silliness.
  • “Make it as little of a lift as possible.” — advice recounted by Beck [28:34]
• They reflect on how different audiences and co-hosts engage with feedback, with Tig deliberately avoiding online commentary to protect her peace.

6. From Rock Dreams to Stand-up

[37:08–43:52]

• Discussion shifts to Tig’s early life in music—she once wanted to be a “lesbian folk rock star,” played average drums and guitar, and managed bands before pivoting to comedy due to debilitating stage fright.
  • “I'm the number one person to talk to about going from lesbian folk rock dreams to lesbian comedian reality.” — Tig Notaro [39:21]
• The gang jokes about interviewing without questions, sparking meta-commentary on podcast interviewing styles.

7. Early Comedy Days & First Jokes

[41:59–44:51]

• Tig shares the story of her first stand-up bit: a miscommunication where she’s mistaken for “Pig” instead of “Tig,” leading to years of friends calling her "Pig Tit."
  • “My comedy friends called me Pig Tit for years because of that.” — Tig Notaro [43:52]
• The mood remains loose and silly, with the occasional sharp left turn into sincerity.

8. The Pitch: What Should This Podcast Be?

[45:01–52:01]

• The group finally addresses the premise: each guest suggests what the podcast should be about. Tig’s prompt? A podcast about mountain goats.
  • "Mountain goats, obviously." — Tig Notaro [51:55]

9. The “Mountain Goats” Podcast – A Podcast Within the Podcast

[52:07–77:00]

• Beck, Kyle, and Tig launch into a parody “pilot” of a mountain goat–focused podcast featuring lore, jokes about their supposed ignorance, and increasingly wild Google searches.
  • “You're allowed to have a podcast about mountain goats and not know much about them.” — Beck Bennett [60:29]
• Genuine fascination and laughter erupt as they watch mountain goat videos, marveling at the animals’ gravity-defying abilities.
  • “Once you see this, how do you ever go back to life?” — Tig Notaro [65:02]
• The “click on that” running joke is born—a format where hosts surf Wikipedia links from mountain goats to, say, Sinéad O’Connor.

10. Meaning, Mortality, and Tig’s Documentary

[81:06–88:52]

• The tone shifts for a moving exchange about Tig’s new documentary, Come See Me in the Good Light, chronicling the life and passing of poet Andrea Gibson.
  • “Everybody walks out of the theater with an urgency to live a better life and more meaningful, joyful life. And I am deeply proud of this film.” — Tig Notaro [83:26]
• Tig shares how witnessing death up close changed her priorities—choosing to downgrade her TV commitments to spend more time with family and advocating for open conversations about death.
  • “Death is gonna happen for all of us—surprise. And so it shouldn’t be like you have a dam holding the water back… Have the conversation.” — Tig Notaro [85:13]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

The Search for a Theme

• “We don’t know what our podcast is about, and I still don’t know what you’re about.” — Beck Bennett [01:29]
• “What is this about? It’s about just trying to be yourself and trying to bring joy into the world.” — Kyle Mooney [01:58]

On Parenting/Santa

• “It’s a lie. It’s a lie.” — Tig Notaro [24:03]
• “I love the idea of the three of us parenting together.” — Tig Notaro [25:52]

On Mountain Goats

• “Mountain goats, obviously.” — Tig Notaro [51:55]
• “You're allowed to have a podcast about mountain goats and not know much about them.” — Beck Bennett [60:29]
• “Once you see this, how do you ever go back to life?” — Tig Notaro [65:02]

On Death and Priorities

• “Death is gonna happen for all of us—surprise. And so it shouldn’t be like you have a dam holding the water back… Have the conversation.” — Tig Notaro [85:13]
• “Everybody walks out of the theater with an urgency to live a better life and more meaningful, joyful life.” — Tig Notaro [83:26]

On Silliness

• “On a serious note, I love your nonsense and your silliness. It’s my favorite thing in the world.” — Tig Notaro [89:17]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:16] — Opening Theme & Premise Recap
• [02:52] — Absurd New Year's Episode Instructions
• [11:34] — New Year's Resolutions and Play
• [16:02] — Tig Notaro Enters
• [24:03] — Santa, Parenting, and Lying
• [27:06] — Podcast Advice & Handsome Format
• [37:08] — Tig’s Journey from Music to Comedy
• [41:59] — Tig’s First Stand-up Bit (“Pig Tit”)
• [45:01] — Tig’s Podcast Pitch: Mountain Goats
• [52:07] — The “Mountain Goats” Pilot Podcast Segment
• [81:06] — Tig’s Documentary: Come See Me in the Good Light
• [85:13] — On Death, Family, and Shifting Life Priorities

Episode Tone and Style

The episode is quintessentially Beck & Kyle: part meta-comedy, part earnest conversation, always teetering between absurdity and emotional candor. Tig’s dry humor and sincerity mesh perfectly, driving home the show’s unique blend of heartfelt takeaways and pure, spontaneous fun.

Summary Takeaways

• The ever-shifting identity of the podcast is a feature, not a bug—it’s a space for “serious nonsense.”
• Parenting, truth-telling, and childhood innocence are favorite digression zones.
• Tig Notaro brings both comic energy (with riffs on her “Pig Tit” nickname and mountain goats) and depth, sharing wisdom about loss, meaning, and living deliberately.
• The “Mountain Goats” segment is a highlight: zany, improvisational, but surprisingly informative—with a real sense of wonder.
• The episode closes with gratitude, mutual admiration, and a plug for Tig’s moving film—urging listeners to embrace life, silliness, and the inevitability of change.