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
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Episodes

#745 Finns Just Want To Have Fun

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise, Bridget Topics: Why these New York primaries have made national headlines – and how Trump tried to meddle in a Democratic face-off The entire planet has a take on the Finnish Prime Minister’s dance video controversy. How is (and isn’t) the scandal gendered? Adam Neumann gets record investment despite his failure at WeWork Mitch McConnell negs his entire party Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 23, 202244 min

#744 Will America Let A Woman Be President

Hosts: Amanda, Sami, NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent Ali Vitali Topics: The author of “Electable: Why America Hasn’t Put A Woman In The White House… Yet” joins to unpack exactly that Reflecting on the chaotic end to women’s chances at the White House in March 2020 Ali details insider moments you didn’t see on TV How the electoral college and primary system converge with societal factors to keep women from reaching the presidency. Why it may be harder for a woman to earn the Democratic nomina...

Aug 22, 202248 min

#743 Extremist Girlboss

Hosts: Amanda, Alise, Bryan Topics: Roasting Mark Zuckerberg’s $10 billion reveal of the Metaverse A Kansas anti-abortion extremist exhibits girlboss behavior The infuriating system that will force a 16-year-old in Florida to give birth Should there be consequences for Ezra Miller? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 18, 202240 min

#742 Ladies' Night Hangover

Host: Amanda, Sami, Kaitlin Topics: Rep. Liz Cheney lost her seat in Congress – but did she gain a path to the presidency? What it really means to be a “pro-democracy” candidate Lisa Murkowski is one step closer to surviving her impeachment vote against Trump Untangling the results from Alaska’s two congressional elections last night – both featuring Sarah Palin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 17, 202229 min

#741 The Promise And Perils Of 988 Ft. Zak Williams

Hosts: Amanda, Zak Williams Topics: Zak Williams joins to discuss his new podcast project “CALL FOR HELP” in which hosts unpack the development and impact of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline How the death of Zak’s dad, the late Robin Williams, set him on a path to understand and improve mental health resources in the U.S. How 988 differs from previous crisis lines in terms of law enforcement involvement Just *how little* the US spends on mental health care when compared to other countries – s...

Aug 16, 202233 min

#740 Can You Start A Civil War With A Nail Gun?

Hosts: Sami Sage, Emily Amick Topics: A Florida Judge unsealed the FBI's search warrant for Mar A Lago and reveals that Trump is under investigation for violating the Espionage Act. Trump claims that these documents don't exist, some were planted, and he had a plan to declassify them all along. The House passed the Inflation Reduction Act, sending it to Biden’s desk to sign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 15, 202231 min

The Betches Sup Live!

Hosts: Milly, Alise, Kaitlin, Sami, Amanda The group chat meets IRL for stand-up performances from Milly Tamarez and Alise Morales, a “Supples Therapy” standoff where we actually debate issues we disagree on, and a game called “Am I A Bad Feminist If,” where our audience was *very* honest about their feminist conundrums. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 12, 20221 hr 5 min

#739 What Politicians Get Wrong About Gen Z

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Josie Totah, Alycia Pascual-Peña, Yasmine Hamady Topics: The hosts of the new Crooked Media podcast “Dare We Say” join to discuss Gen Z’s approach to politics and activism Why the younger generation is so comfortable being more confrontational towards “progressives” in office What politicians are missing about young voters ahead of the midterm elections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 11, 202225 min

#738 What’s In The FBI’s Raid Bag?

Hosts: Amanda, Kaitlin, Alise Topics: The latest updates in the FBI search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home When we might know what they found – and how Trump’s 2024 announcement might impact that timeline Why accountability feels so extreme to Republicans and the Trump base Rudy Giuliani’s road trip Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 10, 202237 min

#737 Don’t Mess With Archivists

Hosts: Sami, Amanda Later: An interview with Rochelle Garza, the first Latina woman nominated by a major party to run for Attorney General in Texas Sami and Amanda give emergency reactions to the FBI executing a search warrant at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago. Why the National Archives angle was a surprise and how we know for certain Trump is harboring documents related to national security Rochelle Garza, candidate for Texas Attorney General running to unseat Ken Paxton, joins to discuss the status of abo...

Aug 09, 202239 min

#736 Trump Commode-tion

Hosts: Alise, Amanda, Sami Topics: Why Democrats were fast to let Kyrsten Sinema drop the carried interest provision from the big Senate bill Repubicans’ summer of self-induced reputational damage New Trump tell-alls reveal bathroom secrets and a shocking demand that his generals be more like Hitler’s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 08, 202243 min

#735 The US Government Is A Mediocre Landlord

Hosts: Amanda, Alise, Milly, Rollie Williams Topics: Alex Jones gets his made-for-TV moment Who is worse for the planet, Taylor Swift or Kyrsten Sinema? Climate activist and comedian Rollie Williams joins to tell us why treehuggers are digging the Manchin-backed climate bill and how he creates humorous content around climate change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 04, 202250 min

#734 Abortion Wins The Popularity Contest

Hosts: Amanda, Sami, Kaitlin Topics: What the resounding victory in Kansas signals for abortion rights on the ballot in November. How did the ballot initiative transcend partisan politics? Plus, the critical role of Kansas history. Debriefing on primary results from Michigan, Missouri, and Arizona. Is the Republican party about to break in half? Here’s hoping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 03, 202236 min

#733 The Greatest Gift From An Unlikely Source

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: The hosts bask in the delight that is Donald Trump deciding to endorse ERIC instead of choosing between two Missouri Senate candidates of the same name What’s in the bipartisan abortion rights bill and why it’s worth fighting for Beyonce removed an ableist lyric from her album not long after Lizzo was publicly educated about the same word. Should she have known better, and how do we balance that critique with the double-standards around accountability? Learn m...

Aug 02, 202247 min

#732 Will Sexism Save The Climate Bill?

Hosts: Amanda, Sami Topics: Breaking down the Actually Very Good climate bill and what’s in it for Joe Manchin Why climate activists are generally satisfied with the historic climate provisions How Democrats need to message this massive win for optimal political benefit: $7,500 for electric cars! Why Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema has more to lose in opposing the bill than Joe Manchin ever did Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 01, 202235 min

#731 Pink Sauce And Weed

Hosts: Amanda, Alise, MillyTopics: Who is the Merchant of Death and why might he go free over a little bit of weed? And other updates on Brittney Griner What the Democratic establishment could learn from the Gen Z activist who turned Matt Gaetz’s insults into a million dollars SUPport or SUPpress featuring pink sauce, the Zelenksys in Vogue, and why we hate the new Instagram Join us THIS SATURDAY July 30 at 7 pm in NYC for our live show! Buy your tickets asap at betches.co/suplive Learn more abo...

Jul 28, 202255 min

#730 Merrick Has Entered The Chat

Hosts: Amanda, Sami, Kaitlin Topics: Merrick Garland has entered the chat. We break down his spicy interview and the chances Trump will be indicted – and when. Nerding out over the Senate and Governor race in Georgia. Did the GOP score a touchdown for the other team by nominating Herschel Walker? Why Stacey Abrams is trailing Brian Kemp – and whether the national party and media should do more to hype her up. Data shows Americans are tuning out of the news. We don’t blame them! Learn more about ...

Jul 27, 202247 min

#729 Florida Or Fiction?

Hosts: Amanda, Alise, Milly Topics: Celebrating Milly's Birthday! The Republican who voted down same-sex marriage days before attending his son’s same-sex marriage Florida’s creative – and enraging – solution to the teacher shortage Buy tickets to our live show in New York City on Saturday, July 30 at betches.co/suplive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 26, 202236 min

#728 Cruzing To The Gaetz Of Hell

Hosts: Amanda, Sami, Marisa Kabas Topics: Why pro-life protesters showed up to Sami’s doctor’s office Formalizing romantic relationships for the health insurance Unpacking Ted Cruz and Matt Gaetz’s statement at the Troll Convention in Florida Analyzing the headline moments from this set of January 6th hearings – and the chilling details that should trump the memes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 25, 202239 min

#727 Leave JLo Alone

Hosts: Amanda, Alise, Bryan Russell Smith Topics: A global heatwave with dystopian energy The January 6th committee’s season finale The senators who oppose codifying marriage equality Support or suppress involving whether Jennifer Lopez should change her name to Affleck and whether we’d take a college course on Harry Styles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 21, 202246 min

#726 The Pride Month No One Is Talking About

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Kelsey Lindell, Dr. Akilah Cadet Topics: Kelsey Lindell and Dr. Cadet are both DEI educators and women with disabilities who join to speak candidly about ableism and disability justice Why they prefer “non-disabled” to “able-bodied” – plus other terms and phrases that have been debated within the disability community Working and socializing with a visible vs. invisible disability Answering your questions about ableism and inclusion, including the most common microaggression...

Jul 20, 20221 hr 15 min

#725 Can Politics Right Now Be Hopeful? Ft. Sen. Julia Salazar and Sofia Warren

Hosts: Milly, Julia Salazar, Sofia Warren Topics: New York State Senator Julia Salazar and Cartoonist Sofia Warren join the Sup to talk about the new book, Radical: My Year With A Socialist Senator, which follows Senator Salazar’s first year in office. They discuss the responsibilities of State Senators, and why it’s important to follow and engage in local politics—because it feeds a healthy democracy. Why Sofia took on the challenge of writing, and what she hopes her audience will learn about t...

Jul 19, 202238 min

#724 Is An Assault Weapons Ban Possible?

Hosts: Amanda, Alise, Milly Topics: A global heat wave to offset Biden’s frigid approval ratings The death of Ivana Trump Is Major Biden the dog aggressive, or just perceptive? Congress sets up big votes on birth control and assault weapons Joe Manchin and Joe Biden battle for Most Disappointing Man of the Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 18, 202252 min

#723 Journalism In The Post-Trump Era Ft. Katy Tur

Hosts: Amanda, Sami, Katy Tur Topics: Katy Tur, journalist and Anchor of ‘Katy Tur Reports’ on MSNBC, joins The Sup to discuss growing up surrounded by breaking news, and the craziness that ensued. Her pivotal role in covering the original Trump Campaign for NBC, and how he attempted to both charm and scorn her along the trail. What she believes is the key to confidence and keeping your cool in the public eye How she has attempted to cover the January 6th hearings responsibly, and her prediction...

Jul 15, 202239 min

#722 Cancel Culture Doesn’t Exist

Hosts: Milly, Alise Topics: AOC gets harassed just walking into work More updates and highlights from the January 6th hearings Lea Michelle in Funny Girl proves the cancel culture does not exist Brett Kavanaugh left Morton’s Steakhouse due to protesters without even seeing a single one Buy tickets to our live show in New York City on Saturday, July 30 at betches.co/suplive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 14, 202259 min

#721 The Night That Set Jan 6 Into Action

Hosts: Amanda, Sami, Kaitlin Topics: The latest new Hollywood/politics couple and which celebrities we’d match with these single politicos Unpacking a mind-blowing January 6 hearing that blows up any claim that January 6th was a spontaneous protest How testimony from a former Oath Keeper and another Capitol rioter highlight two very different challenges to our democracy Buy tickets to our live show in New York City on Saturday, July 30 at betches.co/suplive Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

Jul 13, 202245 min

#720 Why Do We All Hate Feminists?

Hosts: Amanda, Sami Topics: Elon Musk pulls out of a Twitter deal and a pregnant Texas woman pulls into the HOV lane. New polling on men and feminism shows even liberals have negative views of the movement. We discuss if hostility to feminism actually represents a crisis of masculinity – and *gasp* – empathize with men while discussing the political utility of the feminist framing to regain abortion rights. The one platform that could get all the party factions to stop fighting and start winning...

Jul 11, 202240 min

#719 The Vasectomy Rush

Hosts: Milly, Amanda, Sami Topics: Elon Musk says he’s contributing to repopulation by having nine kids. Easy for the world’s richest man to say. The belated resignation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and contrasting why his party turned against him while Trump kept conservatives’ loyalty How the Roe decision has activated a dormant set of activists – and revealed apathy among their male partners. Why young men are rushing to get vasectomies in record numbers Learn more about your ad c...

Jul 07, 202245 min

#718 The End Of Swing States?

Hosts: Amanda, Alise, Kaitlin Topics: A Mississippi judge allows the state’s total abortion ban to take effect A Democratic revival thought experiment, imagining how to end the filibuster, codify Roe, expand the Supreme Court, impeach Clarence Thomas, and abolish the electoral college. Could the Equal Rights Amendment solve… all of these problems? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 06, 202243 min

#717 Everything’s Terrible All At Once

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Amanda Topics: Getting candid about managing our mental health during the slow descent into fascism How the social media response to the shooting in Highland Park reflects a broken media and empathy ecosystem The fatal police shooting of Jayland Walker What about the pregnant 10-year-old’s with nowhere to turn? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 05, 202244 min
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