Handsome - Pretty Little Episode #111

Episode Date: October 2, 2026

Mae and Tig come out *strong* against littering and name their most transformative work experiences on a Pretty Little Episode that will change you forever!Handsome is hosted by Tig Notaro, Mae Martin, and Fortune FeimsterSubmit your questions to speakpipe.com/handsomepodFollow us on social media @handsomepodMerch at handsomepod.comWatch Handsome on YouTubeThis is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok. Advertise on Handsome via Gumball.fm.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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It could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Potential savings vary subject to terms, conditions, and availability. Allstate, North American Insurance Company, and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois. Handsome pot. Chatting the friends on the Handsome Pot. Pretty little episode.

Welcome to a pretty little episode of the Handsome Pod. I am May Martin. I'm joined by... Tig. Notaro. You're looking like Paul Newman or something today in that nice crisp. Oh.

A button-up shirt. Yes, I'm in New York City, and I'm going to, it's climate week in New York, and I'm going to an event with my dear pal, the adorable Kate McCoochee. Friend of the pod. Friend of the pod, and also dear, dear friend of mine. I was just reflecting on how lucky I feel to have that person as my friend. Oh, that's so nice. I know. Climate Week is just saying, hey, guys.

Quit littering. Quit littering. Remember when all we talked about was reduced, reuse, recycle, and it was that simple. Yeah, you throw a bottle, a used bottle of Coca-Cola and recycling and you save the planet. And you don't use hairspray, whatever those, like. aerosol cans were. It really felt like if we could just do those two things, we're good for centuries. Yeah.

And then they just sent that emergency. They said California is going to, in a state of emergency because of El Nino coming up. And it's like, what are, okay, what are we meant to do with that information? I think it's really just prepare. I mean, prepare, prepare, prepare, and that's what we've been doing with our home and off, How? Yeah, please. I'm going to fall off this cliff.

I know it. Well, that's unrelated to El Nino. Your house is just teetering on a pebble. It's like from a fairy tale. Except without a happy ending. Yeah. Yeah, it's a really dark sort of medieval German fairy tale. Yes.

We've just had our trees trimmed and we've, you know, you clear out your gutters. If you don't have gutters, put on gutters, make sure any sort of drains around your house are cleared out so that it doesn't. I mean, we didn't know one of our drains was clogged because we obviously don't get enough rain in California regularly to really know. And if you can put in a drain in an area that maybe pools. It's crazy that I don't even know. Check your roof. What's happened? Yeah, check.

I just had, well, a couple of, when I moved in, we got the roof checked and everything, but I don't even know if I have gutters or drains. I must, right? Well, I would look up and down. Yeah. The gutters will be up and the drain will be down. I'm just going to do a little loop at the house. Yeah, it's really important, you know, because you're going to be bummed if you start getting a leak in your roof or something's pooling in the backyard or something. The basement too I'm thinking about. It's got like a dirt floor, but maybe sandbags, people are saying? Get some sandbag. What does that do? I mean, that can help, you know. I would do anything in your power to prepare. And this is also coming from somebody, I don't know if you know, but like

Hurricane Katrina hit my hometown of Mississippi and leveled it. And so I am, I am so. You take it seriously. I take it so seriously. People died. The whole town was leveled. I mean, coffins, school buses were all in the ocean. It just what people, it was so horrifying. And so I'm a little, yeah, I just take it very seriously. And not that I'm expecting that destruction. Hopefully they're preparing for it on a municipal level two, right? For sure, but like around your own house. Like, yeah, that's really, really, you have to do, hire somebody to come check your drains and make sure you have gutters. Make, if you do, make sure those are cleaned out and make sure your roof is in order. Okay. And also, none of that really explains my crisp button-down shirt.

Oh, yeah. You're going to an event, right? I am. I'm going to an event. I filmed something yesterday for breast cancer awareness in October. And so it was different. Breast cancer survivors having a dinner or lunch and talking about their experience. And Linda Perry was there. No way. Yeah, I didn't even know Linda had breast cancer. And then either. Yeah, but she apparently has a Hulu documentary that's come out that's supposed to be beautiful.

No way. Yeah, yeah. I'll watch it. Man, what a tune, that one tune? I mean. And so I wake in the morning and I go out. I mean, it is insane. I don't know if I've mentioned this,

but I remember years ago, Sarah Silverman saying that she went to buy that album. and the guy behind the counter said, oh, yeah, you're not going to want this. This is just like a basically saying like this is just like a fleeting pop song. Like you're not going to want to buy the whole album. And Sarah was like, why? She was like, I love this. And she was like, and I bought it.

The guy like tried to turn me away from it. And I think about that all the time, how wrong that man was. I mean, not only was that a massive hit, but Linda Perry is like a song machine. She wrote Beautiful, the Christina Aguilera song. Oh, yeah. Like, pink's whole first album. Yeah. Like, just a machine.

I love that, though, when you see like people in the old times being like, the Beatles, moat them out to a thing. I love it. Old black and white. Mop haircuts. Yeah. Devil Worshippers that Ozzy Osbourne. Did you meet Linda Perry?

Oh, yeah. I know Linda. She used to live in my neighborhood. And when she and Sarah Gilbert split, Sarah stayed in the neighborhood. And Linda went to another house. But they're still tight. But yeah, I sat next to her. And it was just a nice.

experience, just sitting around with people that had similar, I mean, of course, this is kind of perfect timing because October is breast cancer awareness month, so that's when this will be coming out. But it just is, it's always interesting to hear other people's experiences and I'm just so excited to watch her documentary because I really had no idea. And it seems like she's got a story to tell. Yeah, I'll watch it. I'll definitely watch it. I used to do, go to Hulu, go to you hall, go to, anyway. I used to do musical comedy, bad musical comedy. And my first thing, when I first started doing it was a spoof of what's going on by Four Non Blondes. And it was about me, a true story of me seeing Don Cheadle filming a movie outside the window of my apartment when I was

like 18 and just like, it was like, and I wake in the morning and I look out. And then I say to Don Cheadle, what's going on? And then we fall in love. Oh, that's so nice. It was pretty bad, but I flogged it until it was dead that song. I played it all around the town. Well, you can't kill your version or Lenders or anyone's. She even did, I don't know if you know this, but she did a version with Dolly Parton.

Really? Yeah. Just a few years ago. That's very cool. Yeah. And just because I'm on a music kick, I found out recently. that the incredible Edie Burkell has put together a new band and is touring. And I cannot wait to go see her.

Yeah. That would be a good live show. That's exciting. I know. Yeah. You should just tour around with her. I think she's only, I think she said she's only doing like nine dates or something, but I will be there.

And I recommend everyone go see her. She's so good. Anyway, how are you, May? I'm well. I'm well, thanks. I'm excited. Fontaine's DC is in town. They're an Irish band playing a show, and I've hung out with them a few times, and now I'm in a position where I'm DMing the singer,

implying that I would love to come to the show. The tickets are sold out, and he's not picking up on the hints, and it's getting awkward. Oh, he's picking up. Oh, you think he is? Yeah, I'm going, well, I go miss my chance to get tickets. Well, I would love to hang out anyway, which I would love to hang out. But I was hoping he'd say, oh, I'll put you on the list.

So maybe I need to be more direct. Yeah. Yeah. My favorite is when people write and say, hey, how do I get tickets to your show when it's not sold out? Oh, yeah, that's the worst. How do I get tickets to your show? What time does it start? Yeah, yeah.

Yeah. I don't know. Gosh. One, oh, yeah. Should we get to a question? Oh, sure, sure. Sure. I was going to riff a little longer about the awkwardness of, um, oh, sorry.

People. No, no. Should we go? Should we do a role play? No, it's time to move on. It is time to move on. Hi, Hansoms, pretty little ladies, fortune and tag and little cowboys, May Thomas, and we can't forget Biggie.

This is Emily from Kansas City. And my question is, what is the most transformative, work experience that you've ever had. Could be from before you were famous. It could be a project that you've worked on. But something where you look back and you were a significantly different person before and after that job. Great question.

Thank you. It really is. You know, I have to say the thing that really transformed me, and I talk about it all the time with Stephanie. I used to struggle so much with organization. I lost my keys all the time. Same. Tell me.

What's the solution? Checking Allstate First could save you hundreds on car insurance. Not checking that it's spooky season before I put up the giant skeleton. I feel like a bonehead. I spooked all my neighbors while they were just getting back to school. At least it's October now. Checking first is handsome. So check Allstate first for an auto quote. Could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Potential savings varies. Subject to terms, conditions, and availability. Allstate North American insurance company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois. Yeah, well, I was, you know, I'd be in my apartment and the lights would go out and I'd be like, what, what happened? And I'd have a stack of bills months old piling up. Yeah, I've had that happen. Yeah. I, even though I was like, getting along and, you know, I would let things slide and I would lose things and I'd forget

and I all of that stuff. And I took a job when I first moved to Los Angeles at a production company. And it was, I had never been in an environment like that where I was responsible for things. I mean, listen, I was the least important person in the company, but in my own world, in my own existence, I had my own job and my little responsibilities and I had to do this. And look, I messed up many times. But it really made me learn how to, I mean, as annoying as it is, but start living by a list, you know, and really using a calendar. Because with that job, anything that came up,

anything I heard somebody say, and once again, I was not perfect at it, but it was the beginning of a shift in my organizational life. And I started. It really did, and it got better. even down to just the tiniest thing. I started putting a hook by my back door for my keys. And any time I walked in, I hung my keys and I still do it to this day.

And it's people see me as an organized person and I am now, but it is not my natural state. And I've had to work so hard. and and I now yeah I live by a list I have a and it's so actually it's fun because I'll have my ongoing list and as I finish things I don't delete them I just and I keep it on a document I take them I cut and paste them on an ongoing longer list of everything that's ever been done and that way I can for real yes I I I I You have a list of everything you've done in your life? I mean, not that I've done in my life, but I would say, you know, for years. It's really like grocery shop, get the car cleaned.

I mean, maybe the bigger things. Maybe the bigger things that I have trouble remembering. And so I put it on my to-do list. Once I finish it, I do. Because that way you can look back and see this really long list of things that you did do. And it's like, okay, I'm making. progress. I'm moving forward, getting things done. That's very cool. And it doesn't hurt that like my closest friend, Beth, is the most organized

person. And I've also been kind of peeking over at her desk of like, how does she do all this? How does Beth handle this? How does she? Yeah, but I would say that production job when I first started, when I worked for Sam Ramey, that director. Yeah. I mean, it was him and Rob Tappert was his producing partner. But anyway, Lucy Lawless his husband. Oh, no way. Yeah. So that was the, we'll never get a question from Lucy Lowe. Let's let's just be honest. I have asked Lucy a few times and she said that she's going to do it. I will follow up and really ride her. You don't want to piss off Zina. I'm not scared of her. Okay, so that was the most personal growth type job work experience. I think, well, similarly, I think I looked after, I worked as a,

kind of a behavioral therapist for autistic kids under five. And because my girlfriend at the time was doing that when we first moved to England, she was getting her master's degree. And that was her area of expertise. So she got me work and she would go through the training. And I was, you know, like behavioral therapist is like, They're nonverbal kids. It's pretty, you know, low-lift stuff. But I fell in love with these two twins, actually, Robbie and Charlie. And it was similar to you. And they were both autistic? Yes. And they were really funny and really cute. And they were maybe three when I met them. And then four and a half or something when I stopped working with them. But man, they were great kids. And it was the first time I'd been. And I usually, only had one at a time and then my girlfriend would take one of them but first time I'd been responsible for kids like that and then it just made me feel yeah like to be a safe person for a kid and I was only 22 or something yeah yeah like 22 but I was I felt changed by that I was like

oh my god I and and empower like I saw a quantifiable improvement that I could have an impact with these kids one of them wouldn't go poo unless I was hugging him it was really good is great. Yeah, which is what an honor? And I'm sure there is probably a part of you with your struggles as a child. Like, I'm sure it feels great to give safety and security to children. I feel like I just had a therapeutic breakthrough. I've never thought about that. But yeah, like I, yes, I don't think I've, I felt that kind of safety. Yeah. So it was, yeah, it was nice. So that. was big and then I worked for um and then I think making wayward just because I thought I was going to die and like I I I'm getting broken off with in the middle of it I I just was I was like

this show's not going to get made I'm going to have to go to an institution or something like was it like you when you say I couldn't finish it where you think were you like oh I'm a shell of a person or I'm not here at all I'm it was like it was like it was like you're Like every night I thought, tomorrow I'm going to just have to say I can't go in today. And I didn't miss a single day. And I was, and then I'd get there and the crew was so amazing. Yeah. And the rest of the cast.

And I pulled it together. I had like a really bad week. That Toronto crew of people. Toronto crews, yeah. Man, hello Toronto crews in TV and film. Spectacular. They were so sweet. And yeah.

And so at the end of the experience. and when it was all edited, I felt, I felt proud because it was the most response. It was the biggest budget thing I'd ever done and the most complex and so many moving parts. And so that I think I thought, I feel like I can get through anything now. Because that 25-year-old me would have been like, sorry guys, I'm out. Yeah, yeah. Yeah.

So that was good. It's wild how you step up and keep it moving in life. Yeah, when you have to. And I think it kind of helped my performance in a way. Not that I would ever want to do that again or encourage that. But you can see I'm pretty haggard. That's so insane about getting through those moments in life where it's like you wear it like a badge and you're so proud of yourself for getting through it. And then it's like, if I had to go through that again, how did I do that?

How did I do that? Yeah, I'm done with learning big lessons. That's just, can it be smooth? Let's hear Emily's answer, yeah. Mine is that my first adult job after college was at a staffing company. and my exposure to just people who live below the poverty line, who struggle with basic needs, getting met, completely changed everything as I am from a very white Midwest evangelical Christian family. After that, I just had so much more compassion.

I'm a very liberal Democrat, and I'm super grateful for who that experience made me as a person now. I look forward to hearing your answers, and I love you all so much. Thank you. Emily, that's amazing. Isn't that crazy how that one eye-opening experience and environment that you put yourself in just completely changed your worldview and shattered your bubble. Yes. Very cool.

Shed the skin. October 2nd, what's going on with you, TIG? Oh, you know, just regular old TIGging it up. I'm going to be in Charleston, West Virginia. Get your tickets and come see me there. I have never performed there. I have never in my life performed there. Watch somebody reach out and say, yeah, you did.

I'll be, I have an added show in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and an added show in Knoxville, Tennessee. And I will be in Chico, California. and then you can also catch me in Olympia, Washington. We added a show. I'll be in Fresno, Napa. I think Napa is sold out. Terrytown, New York, New London, Connecticut,

and Wilmington, Delaware. Go to tignotaro.com for all show information. And, yeah. I got nothing. Check out social media, but, yeah, I'm busy. writing and working away on a bunch of things. So just check out my music if you are into music. We'll do.

And submit your questions, please. We love them. We love to hear them. And your advice requests were really qualified because our lives are perfect. Submit them at speakpipe.com slash handsome pod. And until next time, keep it. Keep it. Pretty handsome.

Handsome is hosted. by me, Fortune Feimster, Tignitaro, and May Martin. The show is produced, recorded, and edited by Thomas Wulet. Email us at handsomepod at gmail.com and follow us on social media at HandsomPod. What a podcast. What a podcast. That was a headgum podcast. Checking Allstate First could save you hundreds on car insurance.

Not checking that I brought gifts for both my co-host before I see them in person. Awkward moment. Sometimes I think of a thoughtful but it's a lot less thoughtful when someone gets left out. Yeah, checking first is handsome. So check Allstate first for an auto quote. It could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Potential

savings vary subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate North American Insurance Company and affiliates. Northbrook, Illinois.