American Fever Dream

In a full circle moment Sami and Alise react to the news that Donald Trump has been indicted by a grand jury in Manhattan over a hush money payment made to Stormy Daniels. Yup, they got him with the case that started the Betches Sup podcast. Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Addressing Monday’s tragedy in Nashville, what Republicans won’t do about it, and what it means for teachers Comedian Zach Zimmerman joins to talk about his new book “Is It Hot In Here? Or Am I Suffering For All Eternity for The Sins I’ve Committed on Earth.” How does he handle talking politics with his conservative family, let alone writing about them? Plus, that time a lady stole fancy chocolate from his bag. Republi-Can You Not lie about Bernie’s wealth? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics: Is the ski collision trial of the century actually the Gwynessaince? We discuss why the Utah courtroom has transfixed a nation. Utah passes sweeping social media restrictions for kids that would allow parents to monitor accounts, including private messages. This is… not the regulation flex we were looking for. V Spehar of Under The Desk News shares insights from the TikTok congressional hearing after being seated right behind CEO Shou Chew, explaining the unintended consequences of cutting off 150 million users from other parts of the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics: Why hasn’t Trump been arrested yet? We read between the lines. Tiktok’s CEO makes the case against a ban in the US. What actually makes the app more dangerous than other platforms? (It’s not the issue getting the most attention.) Ron DeSantis was always going to expand his “Don’t Say Gay” rules Are Men OK? We check in on a US representative who seems a little *too* worked up about plant-based milks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics: Why does Donald Trump think he’s getting arrested tomorrow? How a Trump indictment could impact the 2024 Republican primary NPR’s Ari Shapiro joins to peel back the curtain on his new memoir “The Best Strangers In The World,” which chronicles his career in journalism and live performance (IYKYK). He reflects on the anti-LGBTQ sentiment he witnessed as a teen in Oregon, his long career of reporting across the globe, his many creative iterations including as a singer for Pink Martini, and of course, his favorite JLO movie. Pick up “The Best Strangers in the World” wherever books are sold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics: Would the US government actually ban TikTok? How Ronald Reagan killed Ms. Pat’s dog A series of women’s rights and women’s wrongs, starting with the UN head’s claim it will take 300 years to achieve gender equality Is a statue for the unborn coming to the Arkansas capitol? Unpacking accusations of “wokeness” around Silicon Valley Bank as we revisit the query: Are Men OK? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The group chat debriefs on the 2023 Oscars: Michelle Yeoh triumphs, Jamie Lee Curtis has a controversial win, the Academy rewards fatphobia, and Ozempic gets a lifetime achievement award The pandemic began exactly three years ago. Who were we in 2020, and who are we in 2023? We discuss collectively + personally Why we’re frustrated by the Silicon Valley Bank rescue Politicians did stand up at an exclusive dinner this weekend. We rate their jokes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics: Why is our International Women’s Day hangover so brutal this year? The aftermath of Walgreens’ bizarre pledge to deny abortion medication to patients in states where it’s legal. Why did the move prompt such a reaction, and are other pharmacies really the heroes? Sarah Huckabee Sanders weakens child labor laws in Arkansas Women thriving this week: From single women who’ve overtaken their married peers and the woman who could singlehandedly ban TikTok in the US to Anna Wintour’s upcoming veto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics: On the demise of one of America’s most high profile couples: Kellyanne and George Conway (Ok, Tom and Ariana too) Has CPAC lost all of its far-right influencer cred? President Biden pisses off his besties over D.C. criminal reforms. Why can’t Democrats ever stick the landing messaging around crime? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics: Joe and Jill Biden caused a political scandal by ordering the same rigatoni dish at D.C. restaurant. Was this egregious behavior? Will the Supreme Court block Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan? And will young people blame Biden if they do? We look ahead to the decision and potential aftermath Bringing in women’s history month with a roundup of women who, despite it all, managed to thrive this week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics: Describing our weekends in headline format Ron DeSantis and Florida Republicans move to ban college minors in gender studies Tennessee prepares to enact the nation’s first drag ban… and Nashville would like a word New criminal sentences for R. Kelly and Harvey Weinstein. We reflect on five years since Me Too. What fundamental changes have stuck, and what inequities remain? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics: Which Republican politician was banned from Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz’s wedding? Plus, untangling the family’s lawsuit against their wedding planner Unpacking the fallout after the Dominion Voting System’s lawsuit against Fox revealed pundits admitting their election fraud claims were false Don Lemon will receive “formal training” after sexist remarks about women in their “prime” Is it ever appropriate to talk about age and politics? Yes, and here’s why Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian Jon Laster joins to share the origins of Blapp, an app that helps you shop Black-owned businesses for all the things you already need What exactly did Tiger Woods think was so hilarious about handing a tampon to his opponent? What to know about Section 230 and the Supreme Court case that could change the future of the internet Download the Blapp app wherever you buy apps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts open with a breaking Republi-can you not related to a grand jury report about Trump’s Georgia election interference A new CDC report details a shocking wave of trauma and sadness among teen girls. We reflect on how ever-present social media might have impacted us as teens. An open letter criticizes the New York Times’ coverage of trans issues a day before it publishes an op-ed “In Defense Of J.K. Rowling.” Why are men having mega meltdowns over child-free women just vibing? We discuss how the hysteria tracks with global trends around marriage and childbearing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Alise, & Keisha Toussaint Topics: Unpacking Rihanna’s revelatory Super Bowl performance meets pregnancy announcement Why were men not currently creating new life underwhelmed by her performance? How Black mothers saw themselves represented in Rihanna’s halftime show Residents of East Palestine, Ohio return to grizzly scenes with little information about long-term environmental damage Providers are preparing for a nationwide ban on medication abortion. Today’s Republi-Can you not: Why does Nikki Haley think anyone wants her to be president? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise, Sami Topics: What the White House hoped to achieve with its State of the Union speech Unpacking the most impactful moments of President Biden’s triumphant address Why did abortion only get four sentences? Reacting to the best scenery – from a strange smooch to Mitt Romney’s lecture to “a sick puppy” Trump doubles-down on torturing Ron DeSantis, forecasting a messy primary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: Where were you when Joe Biden personally shot a spy balloon out of the sky? Unpacking why an inflated espionage device became a social media sensation Will Joe Biden say abortion at this year’s State of the Union? Here’s what else we’ll be watching for ahead his potential 2024 re-election campaign Marjorie Taylor Greene, performance arts critic, reacts to the Grammys Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: Tom Brady enters his Fox era Republi-can you not? Ron DeSantis and his increasingly draconian measures to erase everyone but straight cishet whites from the Florida education system Diving deep into another disturbing headline out of Florida schools: the requirement and storage of teenagers’ menstrual data. Introducing our new segment: Are Men OK? This week, we investigate why Joe Rogan listeners are flocking to the bottom of the east river Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: The hosts share an update about the podcast schedule and format What the murder of Tyre Nichols forces us to realize about policing in America Unpacking an Oscars micro-scandal What will it mean if “thin is in” once again? Is body positivity here to say, or did the beauty ideal just go easy for a few years? Read “Op-Ed: Body positivity has boomed. But thinness never went away” by Samhita Mukhopadhyay in the LA Times www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-01-17/thin-models-fat-phobia-body-acceptance-inclusivity-kardashians-feminism Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: Pope Francis is cool with celibate gays Trump is invited back on Facebook An Idaho Republican lawmaker apologizes for comparing women to cows (but there’s a plot twist) Reacting to the highs and lows of this year’s Oscar nominations The story of the woman who concealed her Asian descent and was nominated for an Oscar 87 years ago What’s really in the AP African American studies class that Ron DeSantis banned from Florida? Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Kaitlin Topics: What would we invite the FBI over to help us find? Reacting to and contextualizing the classified documents found at Pence’s house. Rep. Ruben Gallego announces a 2024 Senate run against Kyrsten Sinema in Arizona, setting up a potential three-way general election in a toss-up state. We unpack the messiness. Looking closely at the bright light we’ve been avoiding (the 2024 Senate map) Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Annie Wu HenryTopics: Amanda and Milly debrief on M&M’s announcement to abandon its politically polarizing spokescandies Rating the sexiness of animated male corporate mascots Annie Wu Henry, digital strategist and former social media producer for John Fetterman, joins to share her iconic year that began with quitting her job and ending with a victorious senatorial campaign. How she used memes and humor to make distinctions between Dr. Oz and Dr. Fetterman On overcoming imposter syndrome and what’s actually exciting about politics right now Follow Annie at @annie_wu_22 on Instagram Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Sami, Alise Topics: Joe Biden invites the FBI over for a 13-hour search of his Delaware home. Would we rather be the agents searching Mar-a-Lago, or Joe’s house? Updates regarding the mass shooting that killed 10 in Monterey Park – the nation’s 33rd mass shooting in 22 days Why all eyes are on Wisconsin as Roe reaches it’s 50th anniversary A surprise new documentary about Brett Kavanaugh asks if the FBI did enough to investigate claims of sexual assault Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, and Alise Topics: Alec Baldwin and crew members on “Rust” are charged with involuntary manslaughter. How might this change incentives for filmmakers who cut corners? George Santos’ other life as a drag performer in Brazil. How far will his denials go? Jacinda Ardern announces her resignation and we reflect on how she embodied a new kind of empowered feminism, and why more politicians should step down when they’re tired Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Sami, Kaitlin Topics: A failed Republican candidate for state government orchestrated shootings at Democrats’ houses. No one died, but we explain the real tragedy. Why people are mad about Governor Kathy Hochul’s controversial judge nomination in New York Why is Eric Adams at the border wall? Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly Topics: Weekend catch-up and empty Republican statements on MLK Day Reflecting on the depictions of colonization in “Avatar: The Way Of Water” as the film nears $2 billion in global earnings Unpacking James Camerons’ 2009 comments that Native American tribes could have “fought harder” to resist What to know about this week’s debt ceiling showdown and the unusual ways Biden can get around it Can Janet Yellin mint a $2 trillion coin? Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Lizz Winstead, co-creator of “The Daily Show,” Abortion Access Front, and Feminist Buzzkills Live! podcast Topics: Republicans are on a mission to rescue the nation’s most vulnerable kitchen appliance Abortion Access Front’s revolutionary approach to expanding reproductive justice How keeping track of abortion extremists led them to expose January 6 insurrectionists The deep cruelty of the House GOP’s first anti-abortion rights legislation Missouri spends its first day of government discussing… what?! Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s bizarre first order of business as Governor of Arkansas How “Mike’s” are running Congress Gwen Stefani gives a painful interview to Allure identifying as Japanese The popularity of Black hair products among white women raises questions about appreciating a product vs. restricting access for those it was made for Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Kaitlin, Sami Topics: Jim Jordan’s fulls his anti-FBI fantasy with an alarming new House subcommittee Reacting to the timing of Rep. Katie Porter’s announcement for Senate How to explain why Joe Biden’s classified document’s issue is not the same as Trump’s Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Nelini Stamp Topics: The latest investigations into George Santos’ latest scams. Is the clock ticking on his time in Congress? Unpacking Republicans’ new employee handbook Why is Marjorie Taylor Greene choosing now to distance herself from QANON? Reacting to a real housewife’s six-year prison sentence The early 2023 elections to watch Nelini Stamp is the national director of strategy for the Working Families Party Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Sami, Alise Topics: Recapping the final, explosive day of voting for the Speaker of the House on Congress How close were grown men from *really* coming to blows? How voters will react to the GOP’s botched first week on the job Prince Harry’s memoir: radical transparency, or oversharing? Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: Why it’s so emotionally gratifying to watch a prolonged Republican humiliation Discussing the fate of the House Speakership as we watch Kevin McCarthy lose his seventh vote Unpacking the intense fight between Prince Harry and his brother William. Plus, our reactions to the Meghan and Harry documentary. Then, Congressman Jimmy Gomez joins with his fourth-month-old son Hodge to share being a new dad in Congress, when parenting schedules go awry, and how this week’s events highlight the contrast between the parties. Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Kaitlin, Sami Topics: Reacting to the many rounds of historic humiliation for Kevin McCarthy and why his dream of Speaker of the House is very likely doomed What the disarray signals about the next two years of GOP House “leadership” Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: How holiday travel horrors revealed a broken system George Santos’ quicksand box of lies Andrew Tate’s misogyny is even darker in practice How Did Kevin McCarthy end up in this position? Senator Patty Murray joins to discuss her history-making day becoming the first woman in US history to become Senate president pro tempore Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: In this holiday-themed episode, the hosts reflect on our main characters of 2022 and who makes the naughty vs nice list. They deliberate what counts as “naughty” behavior in a political context and make some ultimate conclusions that might surprise you. Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Alise, Milly Topics: Which politicians would we transfer our holiday party hangovers to? What to expect as Congress works on a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown What is Title 42 and why are states freaking out about it ending? A deep dive into Kyrsten Sinema’s Facebook Marketplace based on an investigation from Slate’s Christina Cauterucci Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Kaitlin Topics: A moment to lament bras and menstruation Final thoughts on the Respect for Marriage Act We just got 2,300 Mark Meadows texts – are they a map for accountability? Trend forecasting the political landscape in 2023 Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: Elon Musk’s cringeworthy appearance at a Dave Chappelle show Sam Bankman-Fried’s crypto house of cards The real reason Kyrsten Sinema says she’s becoming an independent A very spoiler-heavy White Lotus recap! Was the ending truly satisfying? What did Daphne and Ethan do on the island? And why can’t we get enough of this show? Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Milly Tamarez featuring Ian Lara and Aida Rodriguez Milly interviews fellow Afro Latino superstar comedians Ian Lara and Aida Rodriguez. The three discuss the process of putting together Ian’s HBO comedy special “Romantic Comedy,” which Aida produced, as well as the nuances of the “Latino Vote” and what they would do to get out the vote in their respective communities. Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Alise, Milly Topics: The details behind Brittney Griner’s release from Russian custody, and what the outcome means for Americans still detained Why are Latina women so dramatically underpaid in the United States? What’s getting us through the week Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Alise, Kaitlin Topics: Reacting to Raphael Warnock’s win in Georgia and reflecting on the last leg of the 2022 midterms Should President Biden run in 2024? We weigh the pros and cons. The Supreme Court considers “the most important case in American democracy” that could throw federal elections into chaos. And they just might… let that happen? Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: Chris Christie’s niece assaulted police officers after harassing a family aboard a Spirit Airlines flight The real story behind why a graphic designer is suing Colorado because she doesn’t want to make wedding websites for same-sex weddings Unpacking the Supreme Court Justices’ remarks on JDate, Ashley Madison, “Black Santa,” and children in KKK costumes. Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Sami, Amanda Topics: We indulge a White Lotus debrief and give our predictions for the finale Somehow Ye broke yet another social contract. Why won’t the Kardashians intervene? Why we’re distancing ourselves from Twitter and adapting to new information sources What motivated an attack on this North Carolina power grid? Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Zola RayTopics: New York City is hiring a “rat czar” – are we the right fit for the gig? Some color from the significant Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy verdict this week, including estranged ex-wives speaking out and one insurrectionist’s laughable defense Debriefing on this week’s Senate vote to protect same-sex marriages A French man was fired for not being “fun” and spent seven years suing his old workplace – and won. Was the outcome fair? And do employees pay for being antisocial at work? Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chelsea Clinton joins to discuss this moment of incredible energy around women’s political participation all across the world. First though: we ask what drove her to run two NYC marathons in a row. She also shares her news diet and the podcasts she starts the day with. Then, she discusses how this midterm election cycle reframes women’s role not only in protecting their own rights but protecting democracy. Finally, Chelsea shares details of she and Secretary Hillary Clinton’s Women’s Voices Summit this week in Little Rock, featuring national and global leaders to discuss topics including the maternal health crisis, reproductive rights, and Iranian’s women-led revolution. Follow along with the Women’s Voices Summit on social media this Friday December 2 by following @clintonfoundation on Instagram and @clintonfdn on Twitter. Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: An interview with Governor Gretchen Whitmer about an iconic Michigan election cycle and how reproductive rights motivated voters to historic outcome. What objectives will the governor pursue with such a strong mandate? Later: The most disturbing features of Elon Musk’s nightstand Apples’ threat to pull ads from Twitter Clarifying what freedom of speech actually means Explaining the railroad strike and what it will take for workers to finally get ANY paid sick leave Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda Duberman & Sami Sage Topics: Thanksgiving debrief: How we successfully avoided talking about politics Trump’s Mar-a-Lago dinner with Ye and proud white nationalist and antisemite Nick Fuentes. What does it say about the normalization of antisemitism if we are no longer shocked by outrageously dangerous headlines? Balenciaga’s disturbing pair of ads with similarly problematic features. What happened here? Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: Listeners seek advice on a chaotic range of quandaries, from reeling after video sex with their boss to getting a promotion from a bad manager. Plus, when is the age gap just *too big*? The hosts also help a listener navigate the holidays with people whose views make them genuinely uncomfortable. Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Sami, Amanda, Alise Topics: The hosts get political about a range of timely scenarios, from the optimal time to leave the airport to the role of cranberry sauce on the Thanksgiving table A menu of responses for shutting down conservative family members Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: This state has almost a billion dollars of weed that’s about to go bad The week in terrible Twitter headlines, and addressing Dave Chappelle’s SNL monologue People are asking questions about this 2022 midterm candidates’ race Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices