The Bitchuation Room

Making the case for Biden despite Biden, with the most fierce frontline organizer Linda Sarsour. Plus the importance of flipping the Senate, voting local, and using elections as a tool in the toolbox of real social change. And the ongoing fight for justice for Breonna Taylor in Louisville, living the legacy of Civil Rights leaders, and imagining what horrors would adorn Trump’s Hell. Featuring Linda Sarsour (Activist, author of "We Are Not Here To Be Bystanders”) Matt Lieb (Filmdrunk Frotcast, Pod Yourself a Gun) Francesca Fiorentini (Newsbroke) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contagion in the White House! It’s not just the Covid in Chief. The list of infected reads like a Who’s Who of Trump loyalists. Joining Francesca to mock it all is co-creator of The Daily Show and founder of Abortion AF Lizz Winstead, and comedian Atsuko Okatsuka. Plus why reproductive rights are vital to healthcare and equal treatment under the law, and the danger posed if Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed. And finally, reading the tweets we didn't dare send in “Draft Tweet Dodgers.” Featuring: Lizz Winstead (@lizzwinstead, @AbortionFront) Atsuko Okatsuka (@AtsukoComedy) Give this podcast 5 starsTip us on Venmo: @TBR-LIVE; Cash App: @TBRLive Watch LIVE every Sunday 6/9pmET on YouTube.com/franfio or Twitch.com/franifio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A crooked president, why the Green Party isn’t serious, and how to get a can of spinach to Joe Biden before the debate. Oscar-nominated filmmaker and activist Josh Fox, and comedian Jenny Yang join Francesca to traverse the current American political hellscape together. Plus, which cartoon character would make a better supreme court justice than current nominee, ACB or "Sharia Sharon”? Featuring: Josh Fox (@joshfoxfilm) Jenny Yang (@jennyangtv) Francesca Fiorentini (@franifio) Tip us to help the show keep afloat:Venmo: @TBR-LIVE, CashApp: @TBRLive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democracy hangs in the balance after RBG’s passing. But luckily The Sunrise movement is still blazing a trail toward climate justice? Executive Director Varshini Prakash enters The Bitchuation Room to talk about a Green New Deal, the Bernie-Biden task force on climate change, and why we can’t give up on the Democratic party even though it often gives up on progressives. Plus comedian Matt Lieb joins Francesca to talk about a crappy USPS mailer and imagining our favorite bands becoming anti-maskers. Featuring: Francesca Fiorentini (@franifio) Matt Lieb (@mattliebjokes) Varshini Prakash (@sunrisemvmt) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are Democrats serious about stopping climate change? It’s hard to believe when California Governor Gavin Newsom approves new fracking wells and the much of the state senate is bought by oil and gas. Ana Kasparian and comedian Solomon Georgio join Francesca to discuss that, plus the week’s news and the best twitter etiquette for dunking on conservatives. And in a new segment Anxiety Watch Party, tips on how to find peace despite the fires raging in our hearts and out of our windows. Featuring:Francesca Fiorentini Ana Kasparian (TYT, Weekends on Jacobin) Solomon Georgio (writer, comedian @solomongeorgio) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does ending homelessness and a Green New Deal at the city level look like? Progressive candidate for Los Angeles City Council Nithya Raman has some ideas. She and comedian Mitra Jouhari join Francesca Fiorentini to talk about why local politics are surging in 2020, plus a look at last week's most ridiculous news from Pelosi's salon visit to the sunken Trump boat parade. And finally, what could possibly be left on your 2020 bingo card? Featuring: Nithya Raman (www.nithyaforthecity.com) Mitra Jouhari (Three Busy Debras, Search Party) Host: Francesca Fiorentini Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who can poop good anymore after so much white extremist violence? And then there’s November. Author and activist Malkia Devich-Cyril and comedian Nato Green join Francesca to talk the RNC, media, and how to stay joyful despite so much grief. Plus why “the party of Lincoln” is an awful phrase, full-bodied coffee, freedom-seeking kittens, and where we would go in our very own Bill and Ted’s excellent phone booth. Featuring: Francesca Fiorentini (@franifio) Malkia Devich-Cyril (@culturejedi) Nato Green (@natogreen) Special thanks to producer Becca Rufer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mass demonstrations against police killing of Black Americans, state repression, a rampant pandemic, climate emergencies and a crooked celebrity klansman to kick out of the White House. 2020 in America is shaping up to be more volatile than 1968, when millions rose up to demand systemic change and a break with the status quo. Good thing we’ve got the wonderful Max Elbaum, author of “Revolution In The Air”, to assess where we are on that long arc toward justice. Featuring: Francesca Fiorentini Max Elbaum (Author, Revolution In The Air: Sixties Radicals Turn to Lenin, Mao and Che & editor of www.OrganizingUpgrade.com) Matt Lieb (@mattlieb) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Joe Biden infomercial of establishment Democrats went better than many imagined. Nomiki Konst and Erin Gloria Ryan join Francesca to talk about what went well and what was missing from The Democratic National Convention, why we need working-class issues front and center, and how politics is about “killing illusion and keeping hope." Plus swapping Steve Bannon stories and a much-needed rendition of the Full House intro theme song. Featuring: Francesca Fiorentini Nomiki Konst (The Nomiki Show) Erin Gloria Ryan (Hysteria Podcast, Crooked Media) Thanks to Becca Rufer Music by Kevin MacLeod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An election under attack via mail, a vice presidential candidate with bite but problems, and a virtual democratic convention that gives AOC only sixty seconds to speak. This week Francesca is joined by journalist Jason Carter and native organizer Dallas Goldtooth to hash it all out. Plus, what four years of Trump has meant for the indigenous climate justice movement, and the need to think about giving land back to its original stewards. And, *new segment*: 60 second DNC speech! Featuring:Francesca Fiorentini (Newsbroke, TYT)Jason Carter (ETLive, TYT, Jason Unleashed)Dallas Goldtooth (Indigenous Environmental Network)Special thanks to: Becca RuferMusic by: Kevin MacLeod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can progressive movements bring Biden to the Bernie side? Marisa Franco of Mijente joins Francesca with some insights into how the joint policy task force on immigration went down, and the push needed to hold Biden accountable in the first 100 days of office. If we even get there. Plus, comedian Zahra Noorbakhsh joins to sing bits from her forthcoming musical on the decline of American civilization. And introducing a new new segment “Extreme Postal Makeover” about how to make the USPS irresistible in the face of authoritarian meddling. Featuring:Zahra Noorbakhsh (@ZahraComedy, Good Muslim Bad Muslim)Marisa Franco (@National director, Mijente) Thanks to producer Becca Rufer Support the show by tipping: @TBR-LIVE on Venmo & @TBRLIVE on Cash App. Donating a portion to a different dope grassroots org each week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What to do about tech overlords profiting from hate? Carlos Maza (Vox’s Strikethrough) joins to discuss YouTube’s love of the alt-right and any hope for change. Plus comedian Eliza Skinner (Late Late Show, Earth to Ned) and Nato Green join Francesca to talk about unemployment benefits ending, salads, the toxicity of Ellen Degeneres, and what should be a new Sam Jackson flick, "Masks on Planes". Also a very important look into the future with the game "My Sources Say." Featuring:Francesca FiorentiniNato GreenEliza SkinnerCarlos Maza Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump’s private police has used Portland as a testing ground for the rest of the country. Turns out, the city has long been the testing ground for white nationalist violence and complicity from police. And residents have had enough. Journalist Arun Gupta (Daily Beast, Guardian, Intercept) joins Francesca and guest Matt Lieb to talk about the origins of Portland's anti-fascist movement, and what weeks of repression from DHS thugs has accomplished. Spoiler: *everyone* is now an anti-fascist. Featuring: Arun Gupta (@arunindy) Matt Lieb (@mattlieb) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could single payer healthcare work in New York State first? Not with democratic governors like Cuomo, or “Crisis Daddy”, in the way. State Senator Gustavo Rivera joins Francesca and Nato to discuss how Coronavirus has made the need for universal healthcare even clearer, and what is required politically to pass statewide Medicare legislation, The New York Health Act. Plus comedian Naomi Ekperigin joins to talk about Rep.Ted Yoho’s future as horse veterinarian who disrespected the first female president (AOC), and whether the department of aliens is just one lonely disheleved guy. Also “Sext, Elect, Overthrow: Governor’s Edition” with Cuomo, Newsom, and DeSantis. Featuring: Francesca Fiorentini (Newsbroke) Nato Green (The Whiteness Album) Naomi Ekperigin (Couples Therapy Podcast) NY Senator Gustavo Rivera Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just cause Weinstein and Cosby are in jail doesn’t mean workplaces are free of “harrassholes”. Author Adrienne Lawrence joins Francesca and Nato to talk about her handbook for surviving and stopping sexual harassment. BUT FIRST, comedian Kate Willet (Late Show) discusses Portland going full Pinochet. And finally, Kanye’s manic episode leads to a promise of free weed and Francesca shares her weirdest fantasy. Featuring: Francesca Fiorentini (Newsbroke) Nato Green (The Whiteness Album) Adrienne Lawrence (Staying in the Game: The Playbook for Beating Workplace Sexual Harassment) Kate Willet (Late Show, Netflix) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The movement goes electoral in California as badass indigenous Latina organizer Jackie Fielder runs for state senate. Jackie joins Francesca and Nato to talk about what it'll take to change politics in the Golden State. Plus guest comedian Brodie Reed joins us for "The Week Where" to talk cake memes, freak trains, Covid numbers, and making it to Tik Tok. Featuring: Francesca Fiorentini, Nato Green, Brodie Reed, Jackie Fielder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some are more concerned about the PC police brutality than actual police brutality. Francesca is joined by comedian and her beau, Matt Lieb (Newsbroke, Good Mythical Morning, Frotcast) to talk about an academic "open letter" from the likes of JK Rowling, Malcom Gladwell, and even Noam Chomksy! Enjoy this bonus bitchuation. Featuring: Francesca Fiorentini, Matt Lieb. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your worm compost is cute, but we can't stop climate change unless we stop the fossil fuel industry. Author Kate Aronoff joins Francesca and Nato in The Bitchuation Room to talk about how both activists and a nosediving oil market are making the case for a different future. Perhaps one that involves a rethinking of our relationship to "land, life and labor" through a Green New Deal? Plus we decide who would go in our "Garden of American Heroes." Featuring: Kate Aronoff, Francesca Fiorentini, Nato Green Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can progressives win when so many are shut out of mainstream outlets? John Iadarola of The Damage Report on TYT joins Francesca to talk coronavirus, white supremacists on golf carts and Medicare, and the ever-constant struggle for left voices on major outlets. Plus progressive electoral wins, The Week Where, and a new segment where we predict the future. That always ends well.Featuring: Francesca Fiorentini, Nato Green, John IadarolaMusic by: Bobi Wine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It seems like every statue is falling except Jackie Robinson and Paddington Bear. It truly is a new day. So what does the 2020 American civil rights movement mean for November's election and turning out black voters? Black Voters Matter organizer and Memphis county commissioner Tami Sawyer joins Francesca and Nato to hash it out. Plus the double-edged sword of "Veepstakes" and corporate woke-washing on streaming platforms. Does watching The Bodyguard make one an ally? Was Kevin Costner the first white ally? Find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can we stop a coming economic depression with Democrats like these? After trillions of dollars and great acronyms like CARES and HEROS, Republicans have had enough of stimulus money (cause their friends have made enough off it). Yet the Democratic leadership hasn't exactly been pushing them. Francesca Fiorentini and Nato Green welcome Vasudha Desikan, policy director for United For Respect, to break down the stages of the stimulus and explain why Congressional gridlock will require a lot of outside pressure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The best cancel culture is rent cancel culture. This week Francesca and co-host Nato Green welcome tenants rights activist Shanti Singh to talk about why protecting renters is critical during coronavirus. Plus "The Week Where", "My Favorite Arrest" and what we're *not* bitching about for once: the many victories the #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd movement can already claim. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George Floyd's murder re-ignited the movement against police brutality and for black lives. Francesca Fiorentini and comedian Nato Green welcome Maurice Mitchell of Working Families Party and Movement 4 Black Lives into The Bitchuation Room to discuss everything from capitalism and anti-racism to the "Flu Klux Klan" and Riverdance. Plus SpaceX's launch and a Nazi-collaborating alligator dies in Moscow. Thank you for supporting this show with your tips, 5 star ratings and reviews! Watch the show LIVE on YouTube, Facebook and Twitch at /franifio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taking stock of Anti-Asian racism amidst a resurgence of hate crimes, and why identity politics still matter with author and journalist Jeff Chang. Plus co-hosts Francesca Fiorentini and Nato Green debut a brand new segment "This Week in Karen", why Diehard 3 makes little sense and Francesca's beef with Andrew Cuomo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Science! Think about it. The Bitchuation Room with Francesca Fiorentini returns as a shelter in place livestream. At her side is comedian, labor organizer and wannabe mixologist Nato Green. This week, clinical lab scientist Veronica Huerta joins to explain Covid-19 testing and why it is that we're so bad at it. Plus, Nato wants sourdough starters forever and Francesca wants to bring back the bush. Not George. Join in LIVE every Sunday at 6pm PST/9pm EST on YouTube, Facebook or Twitch to be part of the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you working to win power, guy listening to podcast in traffic? The Bitchuation Room LIVE! is back with the smart, no BS union organizer Jane McAlevey. Francesca is joined by comic Nato Green to talk about Jane's new book "A Collective Bargain: Unions, Organizing, and the Fight for Democracy" and how the left can get serious about taking economic power. Plus your Nato and Francesca tell some new jokes, some bad jokes, some woke jokes and some dad jokes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Robert Mueller didn't indict the President or (more of) his grifters based on this report is ridonkulous. Francesca goes over the juiciest details of the Mueller report, and offers up impressions, tidbits, sweeping generalizations. Joined by comedian and sweetheart Matt Lieb (FilmDrunk), Francesca digs into it all including a very a fun edition of Mad Libs with the most redacted section. Enjoy! CONTENTS (to help you get through it.) 17:45 LAWS THAT ARE VIOLATED & DOCUMENTED IN THE MUELLER REPORT 21:44 DISCLAIMER ABOUT REPORT ACCURACY 23:58 PART 1: RUSSIAN MEDDLING 29:29 PART 2: CONSPIRACY WITH RUSSIA 35:13 WIKILEAKS' 7D CHESS MISHAP 39:00 TRUMP KNEW WIKILEAKS WAS GOING TO DROP HEAT 41:03 MAD LIBS! 1:02:33 PART 3: OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the President a witting, unwitting, or nit-witting Russian puppet? Francesca gives her take on the not-yet-released Mueller report while trying to avoid tribalist political sand traps. Also, why does the "left" insist on Tulsi Gabbard for president when her foreign policy is so inconsistently hawkish and Islamophobic? To talk about it in The Bitchuation Room is national social justice organizer of the Poor People's Campaign, Kait Ziegler, plus the regular degular schmegular guest comic Matt Lieb. Also Chelsea Clinton vs. Meghan McCain in a presidents' and presidential hopefuls' daughters edition of "Sext Elect Overthrow." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Beto bubble is bursting early while Biden is the spaghetti and meatballs of political imagination. To discuss the centrists jumping into the 2020 fire is comedian Johan Miranda (Larry Charles' Dangerous World of Comedy) and DSA organizer Brandon Ramirez. Plus how Democrats have no real plan to fix immigration and if they did, what would it look like? And the college tuition bribery scandal brings us an edition of "Sext, Elect, Overthrow" highlighting the scourge of "influencers". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In American politics there's only one right way to criticize Israel. Don't. But progressive congresspeople like Ilhan Omar aren't following suit, criticizing occupation and the Israeli lobby and being called antisemitic for it. This time however grassroots pressure is changing the narrative in the Democratic Party, and forcing Congress to have a good long think about its priorities. Francesca is joined by Professor Maytha Alhassen and comedian and organizer Josh Androsky. Plus a "Sext Elect Overthrow" with Kate Beckinsale, Antoni Porowski and his average guac, and Pete Davidson and his not-so-average -- you get it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's one movement at the crossroads of the crisis of workers rights, immigration reform, racial inequality, and even feminist politics: the movement of domestic workers. Thankfully organizers like Jess Morales Rocketto are helping housecleaners, caregivers and nannies gain power and win rights with the National Domestic Workers Alliance. She joins Francesca along with comedian and actor Jenny Yang (Busy Tonight on E!) to talk workers rights, Beto O'Rourke, Dianne Feinstein and the attack of Green New Deal children, some late Oscars analysis and a Republican Wives Club edition of "Sext Elect Overthrow." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is criticizing the Israeli occupation antisemitic but Marvelous Mrs. Maisel can say 'brisket' ten times without repercussions? Three Jews and a gentile discuss the fallout of Rep. Ilhan Omar's tweets on the Israeli lobby, the hypocrisy of the right on antisemitism, and how the military industrial complex will ensure Congress' undying loyalty to our human rights-violating ally. Francesca and co-host Nato Green welcome journalist Nora Barrows Friedman (co-founder of Electronic Intifada) and comedian Matt Lieb (Newsbroke, Filmdrunk). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Baited by the far right, Trump declares a national emergency with the same cadence that an eight year old explains the Lego movie. Plus former Starbucks CEO and presidential hopeful Howard Schultz (i.e. "HowSchu") flexes his Venti-sized elitism in a CNN town hall by declaring that he "doesn't see color." Grassroots organizer Joshua Kahn (Wildfire Project) and stand-up comedian Paco Romane (Sup Doc Podcast) join Francesca to understand attacks on progressive movements both from the far right and the far center. Plus a cultural appropriation edition of "Sext, Elect, Overthrow"! Thanks to Marc Atinkson for editing and Creative Commons music producer Kevin MacLeod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wants to save the planet AND the middle class? Not before Nancy Pelosi tinkles all over it. Francesca welcomes Crooked Media's Erin Gloria Ryan and The Young Turk's Brett Erlich to assess whether centrist shade has been thrown, and what the Green New Deal could mean for American politics and our future. Also why was there a war hype-man in the Capitol building during the State of the Union? And Francesca gets real about liberals fawning over AOC while still resenting Bernie Sanders. Plus "Sext, Elect Overthrow" with rising right-wing starlets including the Barbie you never played with, Tomi Lahren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And so the madness begins. Not with a bang but with meaningless polling data. Two more unqualified comedians Kiran Deol (Crooked Media's "Hysteria" Podcast) and Matt Lieb (Newsbroke, Filmdrunk Podcast) join Francesca to separate centrist from progressive, shill from shrill, ego from id. We talk Cory Booker's big donors, Kamala Harris as the best on-screen President, Gillibrand, Biden, Bloomberg, Brown, Bernie, Elmo and Warren. Plus an all-acronym game of "Sext, Elect Overthrow": NFL, NSA or NPR. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Pence speaks Spanish for one reason and one reason only: Venezuelan oil money. Plus another Scooby Doo moment in the Mueller investigation nabs yet another mediocre Trump crook who wasn't gonna get away with it, Roger Stone. Badass feminist organizer Blanca Missé and comedian Kevin Camia join Francesca to bitch about where real regime change is needed and how Marie Kondo would organize all of the President's book. Thanks to Marc Atkinson for the editing genius, and music producer Kevin MacLeod for the creepy jazzy intro music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teachers are organizing en masse around the country and four people are running for President whose names aren't Bernie Sanders. Comedian Joyelle Nicole Johnson (Patriot Act with Hasan Minaj, Broad City) and racial justice organizer N'Tanya Lee (Left Roots) join Francesca and Nato Green to talk about the teacher's strike, Bernie Sanders and that illusive seemingly monolithic 'black vote' and why there needs to be Grindr for black lesbians over 40. Plus "Sext, Elect, Overthrow" featuring all the superheroes that fragile straight white men hate. Also Francesca coins the phrase "college-free tuition" and no one corrects her! Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

R Kelly and Donald Trump have a striking amount of trash in common. Francesca welcomes comedian and writer Dewayne Perkins (The Break with Michelle Wolf) and journalist Paula Neudorf (YR Media & Viceland) to The Bitchuation Room to discuss how the president gets lost in his own hyperbole, the time Paula most likely met with Russian DNC hackers, and how R Kelly may actually be a skilled white supremacist. Plus a famous duos edition of Sext, Elect, Overthrow featuring Chuck and Nancy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new year means the same ole you but a new Congress! For the first time Democrats in the House will hold hearings on Medicare for All to build support for what's shaping up to be the defining issue come 2020. Helping to doctor-splain it all is Paul Song, an oncologist and president of Physicians for a National Health Program California which advocates for a single-payer Medicare for All healthcare system. We talk centrist democrats as the biggest roadblock to progress and the new PayGo rules. Also joining Francesca is comedian and host of the Unpopular Opinion podcast network Adam Tod Brown. He weights in on the Louis CK noise and breaks down what's wrong with cries of "PC culture" policing comedy. Plus "Sext, Elect, Overthrow" with Republicans who're trying to save face by pointing out the obvious about our commander in chief. Special thanks to Marc Atkinson for these sweet sweet edits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a libertarian's dream come true as the government grinds to a halt over a border wall. Francesca is joined by Feminist Frequency's Anita Sarkeesian and comedians Atsuko Okatsuka and Matt Lieb to assess the current state of the nation and to put 2018 to bed once and for all. They discuss Kevin Spacey's nonconsensual stocking stuffer, the MeToo movement one year later, and Francesca divulges her secret (yes teen) obsession with aforementioned actor/serial assaulter. Plus why Angelina Jolie is a monster in the Celebrity Billionaire 2020 edition of "Sext, Elect, Overthrow" that completely bypasses the Beto VS. Bernie noise. Happy New Year Everyone! Thanks to Marc Atkinson for the production pizzaz. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are Americans taking an interest in democratic socialism? What led to the radical left movements of the 60s and 70s in the United States and which vintage shop can we get some at? In the second live episode of The Bitchuation Room, Francesca and co-host comedian Nato Green are joined by activist and author Max Elbaum to talk about the work cut out for revolutionaries in America. Also joining the panel is comedian Dhaya Lakshminarayanan to dissect Don Trump Jr.'s psyche, the withdrawal of troops from Syria and how sexting Che Guevara would probably only lead to heartache. Also apparently Lenin was a monogamist. Thanks to Marc Atkinson, Dominic del Bene, and Jessica Mozes for their production help! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's that time of year when we gather as family and look at the US-Mexico border and think "How the fuck has it come to this?!" The death of a 7-year-old Guatemalan girl in border patrol custody and the Department of Homeland Security's 'not my problem bro' response seem to be waging the real war on the Christmas spirit. Joining Francesca to bitch about the border, government shutdowns and beyond is Lara Kiswani, executive director of The Arab Resource Organizing Center in the Bay Area, and comedian Mikey Walz who recently survived cancer, but lost his leg to it. Fuck. Cancer. (Come out to a fundraiser for his new prosthetic leg on January 19th at the Brava Theater in San Francisco). Podcast also features Mikey's cat Barry meowing throughout the ENTIRE episode. Thanks for listening, keep those ratings coming. Merry Jesusmas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the freak show of white collar crime continues in the White House, Francesca is joined by The Young Turk's John Iadarola and comedian Jena Friedman to talk of other things. Like sore Republican losers in the midwest booby-trapping their governments against Democrats and whether liking fascism is a question of nurture or nature. Plus the apology that Kevin Hart simply could not muster, Golden Globes snubs and Cardi B's relationship status. Plenty of food for THOT. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump's 'very cool and very legal' business dealings with a foreign power that tampered in US elections are everything but. To discuss what recent Russia revelations might amount to, Francesca is joined by former Fusion host Nando Villa and comedian and Newsbroke homie Matt Lieb. Plus, the centrist spin-job on George HW Bush's legacy, the difficulty of asserting progressive foreign policy in the Trump era, and how Bezos now makes money from QAnon merch. Also a "Targeted Character Assassination" starring the 'lodestar' veep himself, and figuring whether Ariana Grande or Julian Assange would make better world leaders in The Bitchuation Room's favorite game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even plastic bags get more love than Republicans in California, after a blue tsunami flipped 6 of 7 contested seats for the Democrats. To eulogize the Grand Old Party and talk about what it means for progressives, Francesca is joined by comedians Nato Green, Kevin Avery (The Jim Jeffries Show), and newly elected SF district 6 supervisor Matt Haney. They also talk about the allegations against Don Resistánce, Michael Avenatti, how to use a water bottle to punish creeps, and which of the top tech CEOs is better at sexting. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at The Setup in San Francisco. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facebook betrays us again but we still can't quit. Like an abusive partner you keep going back to for those dank memes. Meanwhile the Israeli military somehow needs more money because occupation is expensive and Pharrell Williams is "Happy" to oblige. Plus a takedown of Amazon's HQ2, the diamond industry, and whether eating Poke is like eating the sea's grandparents. Comic Imran G. and labor organizer Vasudha Desikan join Francesca Fiorentini for the hour and then some. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democracy ain't dead. Days after Democrats take back the house with historic turnout and a record number of women winning congressional seats, Francesca makes sense of the midterms along with comedian Jessica Sele and radio producer Sam Greenspan. They talk climate apocalypse, what new attorney general could mean for the Russia investigation, and whether 'deep kissing' can cause an orgasm. Plus an all-female edition of Sext Elect Overthrow with women who have at one point or another seen the president's junk. Shower after listening. Thanks to Creative Commons music producer Kevin MacLeod for TBR's creepy jazzy intro music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hours away from a potential blue wave of democratic midterm victories nationwide, Grandpa Donald keeps ratcheting up the fear. To discuss pre-electoral madness with Francesca in The Bitchuation Room is her childhood friend Yonatan Rosen, and the executive director of Amazon Watch, Leila Salazar-Lopez. They hash out the 'migrant caravan', the 14th amendment, the Brazilian elections and what Bolsonaro means for the future of the planet, as well as how the Brexit vote was financed by Russia through yet another convenient idiot. Also included are tales of bad English translations and who should be the elected the tiniest mayor of Tiny Town. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mass shooters, bomb threats and the right's spin have got Francesca and frands wondering: who am truth? A powerhouse episode featuring Gasland director and former Bernie delegate Josh Fox, along with ASMR addict and Newsbroke producer Kate Elston. We talk media complicity, voter suppression, and Francesca's captivity to her Halloween costume nails. Go see Josh's show "The Truth Has Changed" and hear Kate on her period podcast The Vicious Cycle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalist Shane Bauer and Comedian Natasha Muse join Francesca to discuss how beards are now more Nazi than hipster, thoughts on Elizabeth Warren's big DNA reveal and the four months Shane worked in a private prison. Plus bad Irish accents for a good cause and a very difficult edition of "Sext, Elect, Overthrow." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices