The Bitchuation Room

Our litigious crook of a president won't go quietly if he's voted out. Breathe deep and stretch those hammies. Democratic strategist Jim Zogby joins Francesca to talk about the violent delusion that is Trumpism, and what GOP cheating means for weeks and months ahead. Plus comedian Laurie Kilmartin on a scary new caravan, what Martha McSally will do after losing the Senate, and why Covid has taken...

Demons and goblins got nothing on four more years of Trump. A week out from the election, Francesca is joined by Justice Democrats strategist Waleed Shahid to talk about Democrats retaking the Senate and holding the House, and the case for helping Biden win a resounding victory even if we wanted Bernie. And Erin Dewey Lennox shares the story of her late father who took his own life to avoid being...

Vote for the best, prepare for the worst. Trump’s non-commitment to a peaceful transfer of power has got organizations planning for massive resistance against a potential GOP coup. Joshua Kahn Russell, an organizer with Choose Democracy, joins Francesca and comedian Nato Green to break it all down. Plus, The Week Where dissects Dianne Feinstein’s stupid hug, conspiracy theorists, and fake ballot b...

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  L...

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 co...

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:...

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 joi...

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, ti...

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 coul...

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 excellen...

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 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 renditio...

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 gi...

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 civiliz...

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". Al...

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 we...

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 j...

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 weirde...

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...

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. See acast.com/privacy for priva...

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...

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: Franc...

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-washi...

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 bre...

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. See acast.com/privacy for priva...