American Fever Dream - podcast cover

American Fever Dream

Betches Media
From under the desk to in your ears, V. Spehar joins Betches Media in a new podcast dedicated to curing the collective malaise brought on by our chaotic political environment. Every week, Spehar and co-host Sami Sage will tenderly guide you through the biggest moments in politics and pop culture with a healing dose of perspective and humor. Rather than spiral over the latest unprecedented event, the hosts dig for the 2024 political tea you *really* want to hear while offering all the information you need to be an empowered citizen, without the side of despair to keep you up at night. For constant news updates, sign up for the Sup email newsletter at betches.com/newsletters and follow us on Instagram at @betches_news. And follow V on TikTok and Instagram @underthedesknews. Watch American Fever Dream On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebetchesnews
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

#625 We’re Doing It, Joe!: Inauguration Anniversary

Sami, Amanda, and Kaitlin react to a viral fake news story claiming former Trump aide Hope Hicks was going on Big Brother. Then, they run through a few subpoenas hitting the Trump family. For the main discussion, they answer some big questions one year into the Biden administration on the anniversary of the inauguration. Who was the MVP? Who disappointed us? How has our relationship with the news changed, and what are we surprised hasn’t been solved yet? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m...

Jan 19, 202245 min

#624 Crimes Of Hate

Milly, Amanda, and Alise ease in after a long weekend with a headline about billionaires getting richer during COVID. Then, they react to the hostage situation at a Texas synagogue and how a rabbi and his congregants freed themselves after a 10-hour standoff. They discuss why it’s important to label this as an antisemitic attack. Lastly, they cover the murder of Michelle Alyssa Go, who was fatally pushed in front of a subway train, and call it what it is: an anti-Asian attack. Learn more about y...

Jan 18, 202240 min

#623 The Gerrymandering Fight Is Here

The hosts are joined by Joselle Torres of DemocracyNC, who shares insights from the center of this year’s fight against newly gerrymandered maps. The 2020 Census and subsequent redistricting have prompted state legislatures across the country to rig electoral maps in their favor in ways that remove power and representation from marginalized communities. Joselle explains how North Carolina embodies the changing electorate and backlash and how the outcome of these map lawsuits could impact the bal...

Jan 17, 202223 min

#622 Does Weed Cure Covid?

Milly, Alise, and Amanda are back for some culture headlines after a politics-heavy week. They start by mourning the breakup of earth’s hottest couple, Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet. Then they dive into a new study showing that some forms of cannabis prevent coronavirus from infecting human cells, but they uncover a disappointing detail. Then they unpack Jamie Lynn Spears’ first big interview about sister Britney since the end of the conservatorship. Why are Britney fans so angry at her, how can we...

Jan 13, 202228 min

#621 Answering Your Filibuster Questions

Milly, Kaitlin, and Amanda react to this morning’s inflation news and break down why everything is so expensive even though the economy is technically good. Then, they analyze President Biden’s fiery speech on filibuster reform and why it impressed them. Finally, they answer your questions about the filibuster, including why Dems don’t need to worry about if Republicans would retaliate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jan 12, 202248 min

#620 Don’t Be A Djokovic

Alise, Bryan, and Amanda debrief on some buzzy politics-meet-pop culture headlines and discuss Bryan’s experience with COVID. Then, they preview the voting rights showdown in Congress coming this month. Is this the same dead-end story, or will Joe Manchin throw in some new plot lines? They share frustrations with both the Biden administration and those who criticize it when most of the blame lies with 50 Republicans and a single Democratic senator. Finally, they confront the reality that if thin...

Jan 11, 202234 min

#619 Dog Moms React To The Pope

Alise and Amanda react to a set of headlines about pet parenthood involving the Pope and Spanish law. Then they unpack the factors currently surrounding in-person learning amid Omicron. Why are parents facing unpredictable and potentially unsafe circumstances two years into the pandemic? The hosts discuss details from the standoff in Chicago between the Mayor and teachers unions and explain how the pandemic has shown how public schools are substitutes for a robust social safety net. Learn more a...

Jan 10, 202230 min

#618 To All The Girls Who Outed Their Exes To The FBI

Milly, Amanda, and Sami share some final thoughts on the January 6 commemorations and brainstorm how to keep the attack present in Americans’ hearts and minds. Then they pivot to the political reshaping of Congresswoman Liz Cheney after her vote to impeach Donald Trump. Are Democrats underutilizing this anti-choice, pro-gun Republican who might be the only way to save democracy? Finally, they roast tennis player Novak Djokovic for trying to defy Australia’s rules for entry and his likely deporta...

Jan 06, 202243 min

#617 Where There’s A Will There’s A Way (To Prosecute Insurrectionists)

Alise, Kaitlin, and Amanda react to Rep. Devin Nunes leaving Congress and how it benefits Nancy Pelosi. Then they reflect on the one-year anniversary of the January 6 siege on the Capitol. What can Democrats do in the next year to ensure accountability for the insurrection, including the members of Congress and Trump allies who incited it? What laws should be activated or changed to ensure appropriate penalties? Finally, what is the media’s role in covering the Republican party while protecting ...

Jan 05, 202245 min

#616 Girls Gone Guilty

Milly, Alise, and Amanda are back! They share updates amid the Omicron surge and how the virus impacted their holidays. Then they dive in to the biggest headlines of the last week, including a Twitter ban for Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and guilty convictions for Elizabeth Holmes and Ghislaine Maxwell. Then they unpack the question: Are these women’s convictions as satisfying when the powerful men involved were spared? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jan 04, 202245 min

#615 SUPerlatives Part 2

The hosts continue awarding the year’s top newsmakers while reflecting on the biggest moments of 2021. Finally, they guess who – or what – is most likely to get canceled in 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 30, 202127 min

#614 SUPerlatives Part 1

In this two-part, year-end Sup extravaganza, Amanda, Alise, Milly, Sami and Bryan award the 2021 SUPerlative awards to the cast of characters who defined the year, from the most likely insurrectionist to succeed in prison and most likely to get kicked off of Twitter in 2022 to the year’s most influential inanimate objects and biggest fall from grace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 28, 202133 min

#613 Let Dudes Be Weird

Amanda, Milly, Alise, and Sami react to the New Yorker profile of “Succession” actor Jeremy Strong and the bizarre reaction from celebrities coming to his defense. Strong is accused of being unusual and hard to work, yet people from Aaron Sorkin to Anne Hathaway have responded as if the gentle ribbing was a character assassination. Has the fact that so many public men have been exposed as awful monsters made people overly reactive to minor call-outs? We discuss. Then, they each share their hotte...

Dec 23, 202116 min

#612 A 2021 Therapy Session

Alise, Milly, and Amanda are back for a q&a episode that quickly becomes a group therapy session to process the chaos, toxicity, and moments of joy from the last year. They share their highlights and lowlights, biggest areas of growth, and what political issues they’re genuinely hopeful about in the new year. They also answer tons of personal questions about their medication regimens and dog mom lifestyles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Dec 22, 202147 min

#611 He’s Just Not That Into Us

Milly, Alise, and Amanda react to the White House’s announcements amid the Omicron surge and discuss how to productively critique the Biden administration while recognizing how dangerous the alternative. Then, they look forward to what’s next for the Build Back Better bill and options for getting Joe Manchin’s support and discuss the fallout from his announcement. Finally, they unpack Manchin’s concerns that people will use paid family leave to go deer hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. ...

Dec 21, 202132 min

#610 We Botched It, Joe

Amanda, Alise, and Sami do a necessary vibe check before diving into the current state of the pandemic and how to weigh personal risk ahead of the holidays. Then, they react to Joe Manchin blowing up the Biden agenda on Fox News announcing his opposition to Build Back Better. They explain what role the Biden administration played in this failure and what comes next. Finally, they discuss how *not* to spiral in frustration with Democrats Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

Dec 20, 202146 min

#609 The Duggars And Purity Culture

Milly, Alise, Sami, and Amanda react to alarming headlines about the Omicron variant’s spread. Then, they unpack the case of Josh Duggar of “19 Kids And Counting Fame” and his conviction for child sex abuse images. They detail the Duggar’s family history and the accusations that pre-dated their reality show, and why greater intervention wasn’t taken at the time. Finally, they analyze how purity culture impacts adolescent girls and boys and how the criminal justice system is ill-prepared to handl...

Dec 16, 202137 min

#608 We Can’t Build Back Bleeding

Alise, Amanda, and Kaitlin react to the Maryland Zebras’ triumphant return and share a timely followup to our Elon Musk conversation. Then they share updates on Build Back Better and where the urgency has gone. They hone in on the paid family and sick leave provision and break down how the program works, how much money people get, and how it compares to other countries. Finally, they ask: Why does the U.S. government treat children like adults?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....

Dec 15, 202140 min

#607 Musk Alternatives

Milly, Bryan, and Amanda react to Britney Spears’ recent comments on *that* Diane Sawyer interview. Then they discuss why TIME magazine named Elon Musk the person of the year and reflect on his overall societal impact on 2021 -- was it net negative, or net positive? They also pitch their own alternatives. Finally, they react to text messages showing Don Jr asked daddy to speak out during the insurrection and consider why all of Fox News had a direct line to the Trump White House. Learn more abou...

Dec 14, 202134 min

#606 What’s Next For The Texas Abortion Ban?

Amanda and Sami are back for a Monday debrief on the weekend’s headlines, from the aftermath of the tornadoes and the role of climate change to next steps for Texas’ extreme abortion ban. They discuss Governor Gavin Newsom’s promise to draft similar legislation related to certain types of guns and the usefulness of comparing gun rights to abortion rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 13, 202127 min

#605 Fox, Finns, And Fury

Alise, Milly, and Amanda react to a delightful story involving Finland’s prime minister and explain why her late-night clubbing scandal is actually a feminist victory. They also share updates about the man who lit the Fox News Christmas tree on fire. Finally, they break down Travis Scott’s hour-long interview with Charlamagne the God about the Astroworld tragedy. Spoiler Alert: It’s not good! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Dec 09, 202142 min

#604 (Preventing) The End Of Democracy

Sami, Kaitlin, and Amanda reflect on Angela Merkel’s legacy and what women in leadership can learn from her hits and misses. Then they unpack the Atlantic article everyone’s talking about titled “Trump’s Next Coup Has Already Begun.” They highlight the new information and detail why Republican theft of the presidency in 2024 is guaranteed without action from Democrats. They agonize over why Democrats haven’t taken the threat seriously enough and what demands a mass democracy protest could make t...

Dec 08, 202145 min

#603 They Found *What* All Over Parliament?

Alise, Milly, and Amanda react to a series of minor scandals, from cocaine found all over UK parliament to Kamala Harris’s preferred headphones. Then, they break down the Chicago trial of Jussie Smollett who is charged with six felonies related to staging an attack in 2019. They walk through what Smollett claims happened and the likelihood a jury will find him guilty, plus the impact of the trial on conversations about racial violence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...

Dec 07, 202134 min

#602 Republi-Can You Not?

Sami and Amanda debrief on the latest COVID travel restrictions and how Sami’s experience freezing her eggs relates to abortion rights. Then they break down how Democrats have reacted to a series of insane outbursts from the right, from a Kentucky congressman posting a gun-heavy holiday card to whether punishing Lauren Boebert could backfire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 06, 202137 min

#601 What Omicron Can Teach Us ft. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed

CNN contributor and epidemiologist Dr. Abdul El-Sayed joins us to break down everything we’ve learned about the Omicron variant, what’s left to know, and whether it could change the course of the pandemic. Listen to Dr. El-Sayed on America, Dissected or subscribe to his newsletter at incision.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 03, 202114 min

#600 How Screwed Are Abortion Rights? Ft. Imani Gandy

Milly and Amanda are joined by Imani Gandy, the Senior Editor Law & Policy at Rewire News Group to break down yesterday’s Supreme Court hearing over Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban. She breaks down the justices most alarming statements and how an undue burden test became a case to overturn Roe. Finally, she answers your questions about abortion rights in blue states, how Congress could intervene, and what abortion bans mean for high-risk pregnancies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

Dec 02, 202137 min

#599 How Alice Sebold Misidentified Her Attacker

Alise, Milly, and Amanda react to yesterday’s school shooting in Michigan and preview the SCOTUS case that could get Roe overturned. Then they discuss the exoneration of Anthony Broadwater, who was wrongly convicted in the rape of author Alice Sebold, who later detailed the experience her book “Lucky” read by millions. They break down the flaws in the 1982 case and what finally led to Broadwater’s exoneration 23 years after he spent 16 years in prison. Finally, they discuss how the criminal just...

Dec 01, 202133 min

#598 Women On Trial

Alise, Amanda, and Bryan react to the trial against Ghislaine Maxwell, accused of sex trafficking and grooming young women for Jeffrey Epstein. They explain how the female-dominated trial plays into the gender dynamics of 2021 and the shocking tactics from the defense. They also try to discern Ghislaine Maxwell’s motivation for committing sex crimes for Jeffrey Epstein. Finally, they discuss the trial against Kim Potter for killing 20 year old Daunte Wright and share their Giving Tuesday recomme...

Nov 30, 202139 min

#597 Is The Economy Actually… Good?

Sami and Amanda catch up after a long holiday weekend before unpacking what we know about the Omicron variant. How much of the alarm is legitimate and how much is manufactured? They have a broader conversation about how the new variant highlights how far we are from a pre-pandemic norm. Then, they discuss Americans’ dissatisfaction with the economy despite data suggesting a healthy recovery. They explain how inflation and supply chain issues vary in impact, why everyone’s “economy” is different,...

Nov 29, 202135 min

#596 Peak Millennial Nostalgia

Alise, Bryan, and Amanda chat for a special holiday episode dedicated to the recent surge of millennial nostalgia. They consider how this wave of reboots, revivals and retrospectives differs from normal trend cycles and why 30-somethings might be gripping onto these past comforts. Finally, they discuss which day in the early 2000s they’d choose to relive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 24, 202131 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android