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

Episodes

#850 Now They’re Coming For Matildas (Defunding Libraries)

Topics: Which investigation brought Trump back to NYC this week? Judges tell on themselves by letting huge portions of the mifepristone ruling stand Republicans in Missouri propose defunding libraries to… retaliate against librarians? Our favorite insights from a Vanity Fair report about Rupert Murdoch, including the email he sent to notify his wife of a divorce and whose forbidden from talking to Succession writers. Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more ab...

Apr 13, 202359 min

#849 He-Man Woman Haters Club (Mifepristone Ruling)

Topics: What happens now that the Tennessee legislature expelled Justin Jones and Justin J. Pearson, plus a shocking question about the Speaker of the House who made it happen When will we know the fate of medication abortion? The confusion is part of the point The most absurd revelations about Clarence Thomas and his luxury vacation habits Are Men OK? Why Bud Light probably isn’t too bothered by Kid Rock shooting up their six packs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Apr 10, 202353 min

#848 Was It Good For You?

Topics: Debriefing on a quick and unsatisfying first time (to watch Trump get arrested) Wisconsin proves abortion wins elections. Some Republicans are catching on. An upsetting edition of women’s rights and women’s wrongs, featuring a North Carolina gender traitor who’s switching parties and could help outlaw abortion in NC Toasting two millennial female world leaders who both stepped down this week: Sanna Marin and Jacinda Ardern Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Apr 06, 202356 min

#847 Arraign On Me

Topics: MTG is on her way to NYC. Where would we send the Georgia representative if she asked us for directions? The latest in preparations for Trump’s arraignment this week Celebrating an historic and electrifying NCAA women’s basketball tournament Analyzing the double-standard in how spectators react to players’ behavior Should women’s sports coverage be sanitized of tension and rivalries? Or is it good for their growth? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 03, 202352 min

#846 Trump’s Indictment: What’s Next?

In a full circle moment Sami and Alise react to the news that Donald Trump has been indicted by a grand jury in Manhattan over a hush money payment made to Stormy Daniels. Yup, they got him with the case that started the Betches Sup podcast. Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 31, 202337 min

#845 I Love My Homophobic Mom ft. Zach Zimmerman

Addressing Monday’s tragedy in Nashville, what Republicans won’t do about it, and what it means for teachers Comedian Zach Zimmerman joins to talk about his new book “Is It Hot In Here? Or Am I Suffering For All Eternity for The Sins I’ve Committed on Earth.” How does he handle talking politics with his conservative family, let alone writing about them? Plus, that time a lady stole fancy chocolate from his bag. Republi-Can You Not lie about Bernie’s wealth? Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

Mar 30, 20231 hr

#844 The Teens Don’t Deserve This!

Topics: Is the ski collision trial of the century actually the Gwynessaince? We discuss why the Utah courtroom has transfixed a nation. Utah passes sweeping social media restrictions for kids that would allow parents to monitor accounts, including private messages. This is… not the regulation flex we were looking for. V Spehar of Under The Desk News shares insights from the TikTok congressional hearing after being seated right behind CEO Shou Chew, explaining the unintended consequences of cutti...

Mar 27, 202344 min

#843 What’s The Real Likelihood Of A TikTok Ban?

Topics: Why hasn’t Trump been arrested yet? We read between the lines. Tiktok’s CEO makes the case against a ban in the US. What actually makes the app more dangerous than other platforms? (It’s not the issue getting the most attention.) Ron DeSantis was always going to expand his “Don’t Say Gay” rules Are Men OK? We check in on a US representative who seems a little *too* worked up about plant-based milks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 23, 202351 min

#842 A Trump Arrest & An Arresting Read ft. Ari Shapiro

Topics: Why does Donald Trump think he’s getting arrested tomorrow? How a Trump indictment could impact the 2024 Republican primary NPR’s Ari Shapiro joins to peel back the curtain on his new memoir “The Best Strangers In The World,” which chronicles his career in journalism and live performance (IYKYK). He reflects on the anti-LGBTQ sentiment he witnessed as a teen in Oregon, his long career of reporting across the globe, his many creative iterations including as a singer for Pink Martini, and ...

Mar 20, 202354 min

#841 Gender Equality Is *How* Far Away? Ft. Ms. Pat

Topics: Would the US government actually ban TikTok? How Ronald Reagan killed Ms. Pat’s dog A series of women’s rights and women’s wrongs, starting with the UN head’s claim it will take 300 years to achieve gender equality Is a statue for the unborn coming to the Arkansas capitol? Unpacking accusations of “wokeness” around Silicon Valley Bank as we revisit the query: Are Men OK? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 16, 202343 min

#840 Who Got Robbed This Weekend?

The group chat debriefs on the 2023 Oscars: Michelle Yeoh triumphs, Jamie Lee Curtis has a controversial win, the Academy rewards fatphobia, and Ozempic gets a lifetime achievement award The pandemic began exactly three years ago. Who were we in 2020, and who are we in 2023? We discuss collectively + personally Why we’re frustrated by the Silicon Valley Bank rescue Politicians did stand up at an exclusive dinner this weekend. We rate their jokes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...

Mar 13, 20231 hr 7 min

#839 Women’s Rights & Women’s Wrongs

Topics: Why is our International Women’s Day hangover so brutal this year? The aftermath of Walgreens’ bizarre pledge to deny abortion medication to patients in states where it’s legal. Why did the move prompt such a reaction, and are other pharmacies really the heroes? Sarah Huckabee Sanders weakens child labor laws in Arkansas Women thriving this week: From single women who’ve overtaken their married peers and the woman who could singlehandedly ban TikTok in the US to Anna Wintour’s upcoming v...

Mar 09, 202356 min

#838 Biden Lights Up The D.C. Groupchat

Topics: On the demise of one of America’s most high profile couples: Kellyanne and George Conway (Ok, Tom and Ariana too) Has CPAC lost all of its far-right influencer cred? President Biden pisses off his besties over D.C. criminal reforms. Why can’t Democrats ever stick the landing messaging around crime? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 06, 202345 min

#837 Ghosted By Student Loan Forgiveness?

Topics: Joe and Jill Biden caused a political scandal by ordering the same rigatoni dish at D.C. restaurant. Was this egregious behavior? Will the Supreme Court block Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan? And will young people blame Biden if they do? We look ahead to the decision and potential aftermath Bringing in women’s history month with a roundup of women who, despite it all, managed to thrive this week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 02, 202357 min

#836 The Me Too Cultural Reset

Topics: Describing our weekends in headline format Ron DeSantis and Florida Republicans move to ban college minors in gender studies Tennessee prepares to enact the nation’s first drag ban… and Nashville would like a word New criminal sentences for R. Kelly and Harvey Weinstein. We reflect on five years since Me Too. What fundamental changes have stuck, and what inequities remain? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 27, 20231 hr 1 min

#835 Burgers, But For Girls

Topics: Which Republican politician was banned from Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz’s wedding? Plus, untangling the family’s lawsuit against their wedding planner Unpacking the fallout after the Dominion Voting System’s lawsuit against Fox revealed pundits admitting their election fraud claims were false Don Lemon will receive “formal training” after sexist remarks about women in their “prime” Is it ever appropriate to talk about age and politics? Yes, and here’s why Learn more about your ad c...

Feb 23, 202358 min

#834 The Internet Needs An Umbrella

Comedian Jon Laster joins to share the origins of Blapp, an app that helps you shop Black-owned businesses for all the things you already need What exactly did Tiger Woods think was so hilarious about handing a tampon to his opponent? What to know about Section 230 and the Supreme Court case that could change the future of the internet Download the Blapp app wherever you buy apps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 21, 202353 min

#833 The Feelings Episode

The hosts open with a breaking Republi-can you not related to a grand jury report about Trump’s Georgia election interference A new CDC report details a shocking wave of trauma and sadness among teen girls. We reflect on how ever-present social media might have impacted us as teens. An open letter criticizes the New York Times’ coverage of trans issues a day before it publishes an op-ed “In Defense Of J.K. Rowling.” Why are men having mega meltdowns over child-free women just vibing? We discuss ...

Feb 16, 20231 hr 2 min

#832 The Radicalism of Rihanna

Hosts: Amanda, Alise, & Keisha Toussaint Topics: Unpacking Rihanna’s revelatory Super Bowl performance meets pregnancy announcement Why were men not currently creating new life underwhelmed by her performance? How Black mothers saw themselves represented in Rihanna’s halftime show Residents of East Palestine, Ohio return to grizzly scenes with little information about long-term environmental damage Providers are preparing for a nationwide ban on medication abortion. Today’s Republi-Can you not: ...

Feb 13, 202348 min

#831 A Historic Heckle

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise, Sami Topics: What the White House hoped to achieve with its State of the Union speech Unpacking the most impactful moments of President Biden’s triumphant address Why did abortion only get four sentences? Reacting to the best scenery – from a strange smooch to Mitt Romney’s lecture to “a sick puppy” Trump doubles-down on torturing Ron DeSantis, forecasting a messy primary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 09, 202356 min

#830 Biden And The Big Balloon

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: Where were you when Joe Biden personally shot a spy balloon out of the sky? Unpacking why an inflated espionage device became a social media sensation Will Joe Biden say abortion at this year’s State of the Union? Here’s what else we’ll be watching for ahead his potential 2024 re-election campaign Marjorie Taylor Greene, performance arts critic, reacts to the Grammys Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 06, 202344 min

#829 Blood, Bones, And Bozos

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: Tom Brady enters his Fox era Republi-can you not? Ron DeSantis and his increasingly draconian measures to erase everyone but straight cishet whites from the Florida education system Diving deep into another disturbing headline out of Florida schools: the requirement and storage of teenagers’ menstrual data. Introducing our new segment: Are Men OK? This week, we investigate why Joe Rogan listeners are flocking to the bottom of the east river Learn more about yo...

Feb 02, 202357 min

#828 PSA (Public Sup Announcement)

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: The hosts share an update about the podcast schedule and format What the murder of Tyre Nichols forces us to realize about policing in America Unpacking an Oscars micro-scandal What will it mean if “thin is in” once again? Is body positivity here to say, or did the beauty ideal just go easy for a few years? Read “Op-Ed: Body positivity has boomed. But thinness never went away” by Samhita Mukhopadhyay in the LA Times www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-01-17/thi...

Jan 30, 202355 min

#827 Florida Or Fiction?

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Alise Topics: Pope Francis is cool with celibate gays Trump is invited back on Facebook An Idaho Republican lawmaker apologizes for comparing women to cows (but there’s a plot twist) Reacting to the highs and lows of this year’s Oscar nominations The story of the woman who concealed her Asian descent and was nominated for an Oscar 87 years ago What’s really in the AP African American studies class that Ron DeSantis banned from Florida? Check out our latest promo codes here:...

Jan 26, 202348 min

#826 The 2024 Senate Races Worth Getting To Know

Hosts: Amanda, Kaitlin Topics: What would we invite the FBI over to help us find? Reacting to and contextualizing the classified documents found at Pence’s house. Rep. Ruben Gallego announces a 2024 Senate run against Kyrsten Sinema in Arizona, setting up a potential three-way general election in a toss-up state. We unpack the messiness. Looking closely at the bright light we’ve been avoiding (the 2024 Senate map) Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about...

Jan 25, 202329 min

#825 Inside Social Media’s Favorite Senate Campaign

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, Annie Wu HenryTopics: Amanda and Milly debrief on M&M’s announcement to abandon its politically polarizing spokescandies Rating the sexiness of animated male corporate mascots Annie Wu Henry, digital strategist and former social media producer for John Fetterman, joins to share her iconic year that began with quitting her job and ending with a victorious senatorial campaign. How she used memes and humor to make distinctions between Dr. Oz and Dr. Fetterman On overcoming imp...

Jan 24, 202345 min

#824 A Surprise Brett Kavanaugh Documentary

Hosts: Amanda, Sami, Alise Topics: Joe Biden invites the FBI over for a 13-hour search of his Delaware home. Would we rather be the agents searching Mar-a-Lago, or Joe’s house? Updates regarding the mass shooting that killed 10 in Monterey Park – the nation’s 33rd mass shooting in 22 days Why all eyes are on Wisconsin as Roe reaches it’s 50th anniversary A surprise new documentary about Brett Kavanaugh asks if the FBI did enough to investigate claims of sexual assault Check out our latest promo ...

Jan 23, 202344 min

#823 Jacinda Ardern’s Radical Resignation

Hosts: Amanda, Milly, and Alise Topics: Alec Baldwin and crew members on “Rust” are charged with involuntary manslaughter. How might this change incentives for filmmakers who cut corners? George Santos’ other life as a drag performer in Brazil. How far will his denials go? Jacinda Ardern announces her resignation and we reflect on how she embodied a new kind of empowered feminism, and why more politicians should step down when they’re tired Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches....

Jan 19, 202343 min

#822 The Blue State In Its Flop Era

Hosts: Amanda, Sami, Kaitlin Topics: A failed Republican candidate for state government orchestrated shootings at Democrats’ houses. No one died, but we explain the real tragedy. Why people are mad about Governor Kathy Hochul’s controversial judge nomination in New York Why is Eric Adams at the border wall? Check out our latest promo codes here: https://betches.com/promos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 18, 202335 min

#821 The (Wrong) Way Of Water?

Hosts: Amanda, Milly Topics: Weekend catch-up and empty Republican statements on MLK Day Reflecting on the depictions of colonization in “Avatar: The Way Of Water” as the film nears $2 billion in global earnings Unpacking James Camerons’ 2009 comments that Native American tribes could have “fought harder” to resist What to know about this week’s debt ceiling showdown and the unusual ways Biden can get around it Can Janet Yellin mint a $2 trillion coin? Check out our latest promo codes here: http...

Jan 17, 202342 min
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