American Fever Dream

Bryan and Amanda debrief after Alise’s wild-style wedding. Then they share updates on Hurricane Ida’s impact on Lousiana, and why some people can’t heed “mandatory evacuations.” For the main topic, they break down how a shocking Texas law that puts a bounty on abortion providers managed to survive multiple court challenges, likely to take effect Wednesday. How did this happen? Finally, they share...

Milly, Alise, and Amanda reunite for a jam-packed show. First they react to the new COVID vaccine names and propose some punchier alternatives. Then, they discuss the rising death rates in Florida and the sense of identity that has overcome anti-vaxxers, even when it’s children who are paying the price. Then they discuss the soulless monsters attempting to profit off the Afghan evacuations before...

Amanda Litman of Run For Something and The Recount’s “battleground” podcast join our hosts to look ahead to 2022. They explain why Democrats have historically ignored the state-level races that have created problems for national democracy, and the work Republicans have put in behind the scenes. They discuss the potential of “critical race theory” to swing white suburban voters and how 2020 funding...

Alise, Bryan, and Amanda are back to ask the question on everyone’s minds: did Andrew Cuomo try to rehome his dog? Survey says: not likely. Then, they break down a truly wild night in the House of Representatives as a group of moderates test Speaker Pelosi’s patience. But who is this fight really for? Finally, they share a story from the Arizona audit absolutely dripping in irony. Learn more about...

Irene Merrow joins us to react to the impact of OnlyFan’s decision to ban sexually explicit content on its site. What is the difference between “sexually explicit” content and “nudity”? Irene explains why the policy will be left intentionally vague in order to punish some creators (non-white with diverse body types) more than others. She explains how celebrities have appropriated stripper culture...

Jessica Yellin (@jessicayellin) joins Amanda for a timely bonus episode reflecting on the week of reporting on Afghanistan and the evacuation efforts. Yellin, founder of News Not News and former White House Correspondent who’s reported on Afghanistan for 20 years, explains exactly what we need to do to sustain pressure on leaders to ensure Afghans’ safety, why this is our obligation as Americans....

Milly, Alise, and Amanda are back with your weekly politics/pop culture round-up, starting with the mess that has surrounded new Jeopardy host Mike Richards. They discuss why Richards was chosen over other fan favorites and his history of lewd comments about women. Then, they react to the charges against R.Kelly and the first high-profile #MeToo trial with mostly Black victims. Finally, they prais...

The hosts are back to react to news that Texas Governor Greg Abbott has COVID and take some time to unpack the social and political factors that prolonged this pandemic longer than we ever expected. What happened to our great hopes for social change? They also share updates from Afghanistan, specifically how projecting western ideals -- including about feminism -- contributed to hopelessness after...

Alise, Bryan, and Amanda reflect on the end of a 20-year war that began dramatically in their childhoods and they watched end abruptly as adults. They discuss what we owe to the nation of 38 million people, many of them at risk because of their role in helping us. Then, they break down the basics of the California recall election and why Mitch McConnell really doesn’t want voters to know about it....

Journalist Mosheh Oinounou joins Bryan and Amanda to break down the chaos and devastation in Afghanistan. He explains how the Taliban managed to take over Kabul so quickly, the effort to evacuate Americans and the tens of thousands of Afghans who helped us over 20 years, and what the US government failed to anticipate in its withdrawal. Finally, they consider the fate of women and girls whose righ...

On this episode of Afternoon Tea, Sami hosts former US Secretary of Education John B. King, who is currently running for governor of Maryland. To kick things off, John shares the trajectory of his life so far, from leaving school at an early age to being part of the Obama administration and beyond. After that, they discuss the recent controversy surrounding Critical Race Theory, and why the whole...

Alise, Amanda, and Kaitlin start with an unfortunate story involving Subway, Megan Rapinoe, and Alise’s first job. Then they discuss the fallout from Governor Cuomo’s resignation. Who is Kathy Hochul and what is she walking into? They react to Cuomo’s claim the lines have been “redrawn” and why disgraced Democrats are more likely to resign than Republicans. Then they preview the upcoming battle ov...

Milly, Alise, and Amanda discuss the Senate’s newly passed infrastructure bill before learning mid-show that Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York has resigned. They react to the surprising move and what’s in store for future governor Kathy Hochul. Then, they discuss why Governors Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis are willing to let children die before admitting they were wrong about the pandemic and the s...

Sami and Amanda reflect on their favorite moments from the Olympics as the bizarre 2020 games come to an end. They discuss updates on disgraced New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and react to Brittany Commisso’s dramatic interview accusing him of crimes. Finally, they break down the UN’s petrifying new report that promises a century of hell, unless…. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

Today, the hosts start off with another round of COVID updates as NYC becomes the first city to announce vaccine requirements for indoor events. Then, they discuss the recent controversy around Hollywood’s lack of meritocracy, kicked off by casting announcement of the short film THE RIGHTWAY. They round off the show with the Buzzworthy News headline brought to you by Dame, this time about Rihanna...

The hosts start with a quick convo with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy about what he’d tell the vaccine reluctant if he had a finsta, breakthrough infections, and why we already have the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel: vaccines. Then, Kaitlin and Sami join to react to the new eviction moratorium and the Attorney General investigation into Governor Andrew Cuomo for sexual harassment...

Alise, Bryan, and Amanda are back to break down Congress’s mad dash to finish its to-do list before senators simply must leave for vacation. They share easter eggs from the bipartisan infrastructure bill and what $550 billion actually gets done, and try to place blame in the eviction moratorium meltdown. Finally, they react to Senator Lindsey Graham getting COVID on Joe Manchin’s houseboat. Learn...

Sami and Amanda are joined by comedian and guest host Lane Moore to indulge our collective rage about the pandemic and how they’re coping as Lane embarks on a 30-city tour. Then they react to Matt Damon letting go of his favorite gay slurs and why it took the 50-year-old actor so long to say goodbye. For the Dame Buzzworthy news segment, they discuss Scarlett Johansson suing Disney+ for lost earni...

Milly, Alise, and Amanda discuss the insufferable series of white men attacking Simone Biles for taking care of herself, rising COVID cases in Tokyo, and how these Olympic games could impact professional athletes long-term. Then, they break down the controversy surrounding DaBaby’s homophobic comments the same week a prominent Democratic donor was convicted for murdering gay Black men. Learn more...

Sami, Kaitlin, and Amanda start the show by sharing what’s brought them some light and joy amid the worsening pandemic and the climate apocalypse. Then, they look at some areas with surprisingly low vaccination rates and what’s contributing to it. Then they recap yesterday’s hearing on January 6 and how it broke us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alise, Bryan, and Amanda react to Simone Biles withdrawing from today’s Olympic event. Then, they contrast a male fencer credibly accused of sexual misconduct flown the games with a “safety plan” with female athletes with disabilities or children who have been denied special accommodations. Finally, Dr. Natasha Kathuria joins to answer your questions about the Delta variant, breakthrough infection...

Amanda and Sami are back to process the new phase of the pandemic, with Delta cases surging and questions about masking and breakthrough infections. They react to Republican course correcting on the vaccine, and who is still reluctant to get jabbed and why. They compare reactions to vaccine mandates in Europe and the US. Could the current polarization lead to a resurgence of dormant viruses? Learn...

Sami is joined by Malcolm Gladwell, journalist, author, and host of Revisionist History. To start, Malcolm shares what we can expect in the newest season of his podcast, which leads to a conversation about COVID-sniffing dogs. Then Sami and Malcolm dive into his upcoming 3-part series on The Little Mermaid and why it’s actually problematic. They discuss the depiction of masculinity and male domina...

Alise, Kaitlin, and Amanda discuss a spate of sexist incidents involving female athletes, from Norwegian handball players being fined for wearing shorts to a Paralympian runner chastised for not wearing shorts. They discuss the broader significance of banning swim caps made for Black athletes before pivoting to the Texas abortion law, which gives abusers a pass to harass and control women’s lives...

Alise, Bryan, and Amanda react to Jeff Bezos’ 11 minutes in space. What would we spend $28 million to do for 11 minutes? Then they break down the reasons behind the rise in the Delta variant, our own experience with breakthrough infections, and why it’s important to distinguish between anti-vaxxers and the vaccine hesitant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices