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

#875 Spoiler Alert (Actors Strike, Third Party 2024)

Topics: Humans have officially entered a new era, according to this Canadian lake The drugs-in-the-White House-saga comes to a disappointing conclusion An actor breaks down what led to the SAG strike and when your favorite shows will start to dry up How worried should we be about Joe Manchin and the “No Labels” party? Kim Reynolds, gender traitor, oversees a ban on abortion in Iowa Are Men Ok? Featuring a Congressman banned from Wikipedia and a GOP candidate taking desperate measures to get to t...

Jul 13, 202358 min

#874 Supreme Insecurity (Jonah Hill, Ft. Strict Scrutiny)

Topics: Which YouTuber is marketing a highly caffeinated beverage to children? Jonah Hill isn’t the first man to weaponize the language of therapy against their romantic partner. When is it acceptable – if not important – to publicly share private text messages? Leah Litman and Melissa Murray of our fave podcast “Strict Scrutiny” stop by to help us process a dizzying Supreme Court term, psychoanalyze Brett Kavanaugh, identify the pettiest Supreme Court justice, and share the push notification th...

Jul 10, 202355 min

Soft Black Woman: Threads, SCOTUS, & The National Anthem Ft. Blair Imani

Welcome to the first episode of Soft Black Woman, presented by the Betches Sup. Every Friday, host Dr. Akilah Cadet unpacks trending news and what’s in the zeitgeist from a BIPOC perspective, inviting her smartest friends and amazing thinkers to discuss all things lifestyle + culture while sharing how they prioritize rest and joy in a world that constantly demands vigilance. Everyone is welcome to the “Soft Black Woman” club. Co-Host: @blairimani, Blair Imani Topics: Threads (Meta) Landmark Supr...

Jul 07, 202351 min

#873 Working Girls (Ageism & Sexism)

The Earth reaches its hottest temperature in recorded history. Why the internet needs a common text-based app. Will Threads be it? A new study shows there’s no good age to be a woman at work + how ageism impacts us throughout the decades Aubrey O’Day reveals an anecdote involving Don Jr and a gay club on Michael Cohen’s podcast Are Men Ok? The answer this week is: Yes! Why Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers is our king Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 06, 202358 min

#872 Courting Chaos (Supreme Court)

Topics: The hosts are back to react to last week’s dizzying cascade of upsetting legal news! Behind the long and petty battle to outlaw affirmative action in colleges and universities Untangling the mysterious origins of the homophobic website designer case that just reversed protections for LGBTQ Americans Biden’s student loan hail mary. Better to try and fail to cancel student loans than never to have tried at all? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 03, 20231 hr 7 min

#871 Why It’s So Hard To Run For Office As A Woman

Co-hosted by Jordan Zaslow, the founder and executive director of Her Bold Move (@herboldmove) Reacting to Vice President Kamala Harris’s speech on abortion rights What’s STILL missing from the repro rights conversation one year after Dobbs Why don’t more women run for office? Hint: sexism is brutal. How speaking frankly about sexism in electoral politics can actually help launch more women into powerful positions The best ways to support your favorite up-and-coming politicians (Spoiler alert: g...

Jun 26, 202330 min

#870 A Nation Obsessed (Submersible, Dobbs anniversary)

Why the nation is transfixed by the avoidable tragedy of the OceanGate submersible The latest Supreme Court justice to exchange judicial favors for luxury vacations Unpacking a shocking display of men who are not okay this week, from vaccine scientists harassed by Joe Rogan to Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg agreeing to a “cage fight.” What is the nature of the abortion rights movement one year after the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade? Amanda Zurawski, a woman in Texas suing the state after...

Jun 22, 20231 hr 30 min

#869 Juneteenth, Hold The Ice Cream (Ft. A Big Announcement)

This episode includes a huge announcement about the future of this podcast feed!Topics: The corporatization of Juneteenth and looking back on the ill-advised “Juneteenth ice cream” Unpacking – word for word – what it means to dismantle white supremacy Why is *real* intersectionality still missing from so much of the pop culture discourse? Our solve to that problem: Introducing “Soft Black Woman,” a new podcast by the Betches Sup and hosted by Dr. Cadet debuting in this feed on July 7! Every week...

Jun 19, 202333 min

#868 Lunch Is On Him (Frances Suarez, Trump Indictment)

Topics: Ticketmaster will offer up-front pricing at more than 200 venues and festivals as part of Joe Biden’s plan to curb hidden fees. Miami Mayor Frances Suarez announced he’s running in the republican primary, aiming to become the first sitting mayor ever elected president. On Tuesday trump pled not guilty to 37 counts in federal court. Bill DeBlasio finally talked about dropping (and killing) the groundhog on Groundhog Day in 2014. Then they listen to a Voicemail about Rosa Delauro and a pos...

Jun 15, 202347 min

#867 Operation Box Hoax (Trump Indictment, Immigration)

Topics: The new law, set to go into effect July 1, cracks down on immigration. Trump has been indicted by a grand jury in the Department of Justice regarding his mishandling of classified documents. Letitia James sued the anti-abortion group Red Rose Rescue. Fox News sent Tucker Carlson a cease and desist letter over his Twitter show which launched last week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 12, 202355 min

The Right To Be ‘Hot And Boring’ ft Alex Schmider

TOPICS: The first time Alex saw himself represented in media (“Boys Don’t Cry”) The problem of over vs. underrepresentation of trans people in film and TV Unpacking the right-wing fixation on LGBTQ young people Revisiting the 2021 documentary “Changing The Game,” which follows transgender teens navigating life and athletics in towns across the country Getting all the tea on “Chasing Chasing Amy,” a film directed by Sav Rogers and produced by Alex Schmider that revisits the iconic ‘90s film about...

Jun 09, 202345 min

#866 Smoke And Errors (Duggars, Trump indictment)

Topics: Why the smokey skies in New York sent such a chilling message Trump indictment watch: the classified documents scandal may be about to explode Pat Robertson, who infused the Republican party with fundamentalist Christianity, dies at 93 Reacting to a new documentary exposing the abuses and political influence of the Duggar family The couple coordinating to outlaw abortion in Florida Another Would You Rather? involving the Roy family and Tom and Raquel Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

Jun 08, 20231 hr 9 min

#865 Collab Of The Year (2024, Nikki Haley)

Topics: Could Democrats sabotage their edge with young voters? Mike Pence’s daily affirmations Why we need to take Nikki Haley’s “feminist” presidential campaign very, very seriously Greg Abbott’s unfortunately productive weekend Trump ruined their lives. Now they’re writing a romance novel together. Unpacking Taylor Swift’s Pride remarks Our voicemails are open! Keep us flush with your political questions, anecdotes, local tea, and more by calling (212) 287-5244‬ Learn more about your ad choice...

Jun 05, 202357 minEp. 865

EXTRA EXTRA Crossover: The Billionaires Who Are Killing Journalism

Rich white men and the newspapers they buy to feed their own egos… name a more iconic duo. But what’s different about this generation of wealthy media moguls? In honor of the end of HBO's Succession, and in the wake of VICE Media declaring bankruptcy, what better time to examine the individuals who are getting rich off their media empires... and killing journalism in the proess. In this throwback episode of EXTRA EXTRA from October, 2022, Sami Sage takes us on a tour of the many publishing-billi...

Jun 02, 202343 min

#864 Narcissism Buffet (Debt Ceiling, Ken Paxton)

Topics: A quick debrief on the season finales of “Succession” and “Ted Lasso” How the debt ceiling negotiations will impact the 2024 election, and the provisions actually worth worrying about Joe Manchin’s sneaky victory Pride in a year of escalating transphobia Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is impeached for a Scandoval-level melodrama involving extramarital affairs and abuse of power Are Men OK? Featuring proud new dads Al Pacino and Robert De Niro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...

Jun 01, 202358 min

#863 Listener Town Hall

We dove deep into the voicemails to play your dispatches and queries from across red states and blue, including: Is it safe for your trans partner to attend a wedding in Florida? Why are liberals in New England being weird about abortion? Why do kids accept gender fluidity easily while adults throw tantrums? And a… piercing follow-up to an “Are Men OK?” favorite you will not want to miss. Call us! Leave us a voicemail at (212) 287-5244‬ to join the group chat. Learn more about your ad choices. V...

May 29, 202339 min

Gen Z And 2024 Ft. Annie Wu Henry

In this bonus interview, Amanda is joined by Annie Wu Henry, creative director of the AAPI Victory Fund and all-around social media wunderkind. The two catch up on Annie’s whirlwind six months since helping secure victory for now-Senator John Fetterman. They also unpack the response to Joe Biden’s campaign announcement among young progressives, and warn against getting too caught up in the party figurehead. Finally, Annie shares her priorities and focus as the new creative director for the AAPI ...

May 26, 202340 min

#862 If The Dress Sneaker Fits (Ron DeSantis, Taylor Swift)

Topics: Ron DeSantis makes his clumsy entrance into the 2024 race. Will his glitchy start impact his campaign success? What was *substantively* important about his announcement? Did Lauren Boebert accidentally make a good point? For once, an extremely *low stakes* game of “Are Men OK?” involving the most controversial sneakers on Capitol Hill Our voicemails are in chaos over the Ice Spice/Taylor Swift song amid the Matty Healey of it all. We give our (dueling) takes on the origins of the collab....

May 25, 20231 hr 39 min

#861 Who Is In Their Anti-Hero Era? (Ft. Rep. Jasmine Crockett)

Topics: Rep. Jasmine Crockett joins after her viral House Oversight Committee statement calling out GOP hypocrisy on violence in America Here are all the Republicans who are about to enter the 2024 presidential race. (Chris Christie.. .what are you doing here?) Ron DeSantis is creating a state that no Floridian actually wants Unpacking Taylor Swift’s…. interesting choices in romantic partners as she declines to speak out on feminist or LGBTQ issues Call us with your messages! Share a local story...

May 22, 20231 hr 5 min

#860 Traditional Values Are Flopping (Ft. Chasten Buttigieg)

Lauren Boebert is getting divorced. Meet Rifle, Colorado’s newest eligible bachelor Why the writer’s strike may not be ending any time soon — and the actors are ready to join them Josh Hawley writes a searing op-ed blaming the left for a crisis of masculinity. We simply have to ask… are men OK? An amazing Listener Town Hall featuring the premiere of Bad Girls Club: Michigan GOP edition An interview with Sup fave Chasten Buttigieg about attacks on LGBTQ rights, parenthood, and rewriting his memoi...

May 18, 20231 hr 29 min

#859 The Eras Episode (Media, Immigration, Debt limit)

Topics: Why are 2,400 Kyles gathering in Texas? The latest non-boring updates on the debt limit Vice Media files for bankruptcy as other once-trendy outlets falter. How did the media landscape change so dramatically, so fast? People have thoughts about Joe Biden’s Howard University commencement speech. Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh joins from the Migration Policy Institute to unpack the changes at the US-Mexico border after the end of Title 42, and how policymakers should approach desperately needed ...

May 15, 20231 hr 8 min

EXTRA EXTRA Crossover: How Much Wealth Do The Windsor’s Have?

In this episode of Extra Extra, Sami Sage looks to the “scaled back” coronation of King Charles to unravel the broader financial web supporting the royal family. Which ancient arrangements and stolen assets keep the royal family’s checkbook balanced? How many billions is King Charles worth? In this crossover episode of Extra Extra by Sami Sage, we look for the source of the royal family’s wealth and the colonial origins of the “crown jewels.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...

May 12, 202341 min

#858 Lip Sync For Your Life (Behind Bars)

Featuring guest host Grace Weinstein, who hosts “WTF, America?” for The Recount on Snapchat Topics: The George Santos indictment E Jean Carroll’s triumphant day in court Trump’s nightmarish town hall on CNN Is over-the-counter birth control about to become a reality? A looming abortion ban in North Carolina – and the gender traitor who let it happen Would you rather: Start of summer edition Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 11, 20231 hr 41 min

#857 Girlboss Penitentiary (Elizabeth Holmes)

Topics: Why did this outlet feel the need to publish a bizarrely glowing profile of Elizabeth Holmes? A shooting in Texas and an avoidable subway killing A looming immigration crisis Are Men Ok? Coronation edition LISTENER TOWN HALL will now run every Thursday! Call ‪(212) 287-5244‬ to leave us a message you know we’ll want to hear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 08, 202348 min

#856 Trump’s “Gigli” Moment (Election 2024)

Topics: Donald Trump takes a shocking lead in a potential match-up with Ron DeSantis Is it irresponsible of CNN to host a town hall with Donald Trump? Clarence Thomas adds a new scam to the trophy case Should you have a bachelor’s degree to work in Congress? This member is removing the requirement Our first ever “Are Men OK” in which our subject does – miraculously – appear to be OK We’ve officially introduced Listener Town Hall! Want to leave us a voicemail? Call ‪(212) 287-5244‬. Your message ...

May 04, 202351 min

#855 Where The Anti-Trans Agenda Is Working (Health Care Bans)

Topics: Rating this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner on a scale of Obama mic drop to George W. Bush cringe. Republicans change the nature of their anti-trans approach ahead of 2024. These are the talking points and policies we’re especially nervous about How an increasingly likely writer’s strike will impact your favorite TV shows and why studios really ought to pay up Our first edition of Listener Town Hall featuring your comments on Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ misguided participation ...

May 01, 202354 min

#854 Real Men Of Politics (Joe Biden Announcement)

Topics: Reacting to Joe Biden’s presidential announcement. Is the benefit of incumbency worth four more stale, white years? Unpacking the fallout from Tucker Carlson’s firing and Abby Grossberg’s lawsuit against Fox News. Why are they so obsessed with older women in bathing suits? Reacting to the highly confusing “Real Women Of Politics” ad. What is the state of political parody in 2023? Featuring guest host Missy Modell (@missymodell), host of the podcast Sorry For Apologizing Learn more about ...

Apr 27, 202355 min

#853 “We’ll Be Back On Monday” (Tucker Carlson)

Topics: Fox and Tucker Carlson abruptly part ways. What led to the break-up everyone’s talking about? Waxing Nostalgia about Bed, Bath, & Beyond We need to talk about how Kyrsten Sinema is spending her campaign donations – a $8,000 hotel room in Boston? Rewire News Group’s Jessica Mason Pieklo and Garnet Henderson join to explain the Supreme Court’s move to pause court-mandated restrictions on mifepristone. They also explain how this case signals the anti-abortion movement’s latest strategy: goi...

Apr 24, 20231 hr 17 min

#852 Armed And Aging (Shootings, Dianne Feinstein)

Topics: Ron DeSantis was on a book tour in New Hampshire while his constituents were underwater. Is he actually hurting his chances at the Republican nomination by ignoring Floridians to win it? A series of young people are shot in quick succession. We know Americans are armed, but why are they so scared and trigger happy? We have our suspicions. What’s next after the Supreme Court’s delay on abortion pill restrictions Do growing calls for Dianne Feinstein’s resignation have a tinge of sexism? P...

Apr 20, 20231 hr

#851 Hall of de-Fame (Fox Dominion Voting Systems) ft. Erin Ryan

Topics: Why was the highly anticipated defamation trial against Fox postponed? We speculate what’s going on behind the scenes, and how the outcome of this historic lawsuit could impact the political landscape Republican presidential candidates spend decades promising to undo abortion rights. Why are they suddenly so quiet? Are women especially great at running companies, or are men just really bad it at? Erin Ryan, host of “Hysteria” and author of the newsletter “Just Enjoy It While You Can,” jo...

Apr 17, 20231 hr
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