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

Soft Black Woman: Living With Endometriosis, It’s Myths, & Stigmas

On this episode of Soft Black Woman, host Dr. Akilah Cadet welcomes Jenneh Rishe, founder of the Endo Co. and author of Part of You, Not All of You, to talk about the latest trending pop culture and news headlines of the week. Plus, they tell us how they’re prioritizing softness in their own lives. Be sure to subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode of Soft Black Woman, out every Friday. Co-host: @lifeabove_illness, Jenneh Rishe Topics: Jenneh’s journey to creating Endo Co. Sharing how being a...

Aug 18, 202342 min

#885 Wellness Influencer Or Far-Right Dream Girl?

Topics: Who will be part of Trump’s jury in Georgia? How influencers are introducing women to the conservative agenda through anti-birth control misinformation The sneaky ways people like Peter Thiel and Ben Shapiro are pulling millennial and Gen Z women toward the far-right movement The disingenuous feminism of the “Trad Wife” nostalgia This episode was guest hosted by Ginny Hogan (IG: @ginnyhogan_ ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 17, 202348 min

#884 Are Indictments Hitting Like They Used To? (Georgia, Hunter Biden)

Topics: What to know about Fani Willis, the Georgia DA about to indict Donald Trump The cringiest moments from Republican Coachella Has Vivek Ramaswamy dethroned Ron DeSantis as the 2024 alternative to Trump Are Men OK? We unpack an important update in the Zuckerberg-Musk cage fight that never was Plus, Amanda Zurawski (@aceiswild) returns with updates about her lawsuit against the state of Texas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 14, 20231 hr 7 min

Soft Black Woman: Montgomery Brawl, Lizzo’s Allegations, & The Fearless Fund

On this episode of Soft Black Woman, host Dr. Akilah Cadet welcomes Kelsey Lindell, founder and CEO of Misfit Media, to talk about the latest trending pop culture and news headlines of the week. Plus, they tell us how they’re prioritizing softness in their own lives. Be sure to subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode of Soft Black Woman, out every Friday. Co-host: @kelsey_lindell, Kelsey Lindell Topics: Three white men charged with assault after Montgomery Riverfront Brawl. Lizzo’s response t...

Aug 11, 202357 min

#883 The Power Of Girl Bucks (Montgomery Brawl, Ohio)

Topics: The Montgomery Brawl was everything everywhere all at once What Joe Biden should learn from this week’s reproductive rights-related election in Ohio Can Dems keep the Senate in 2024? We look at the map and discuss the most anticipated races What the girly pop economy of summer 2023 (Eras, Renaissance, Barbie) tells us about the state of feminism Tory Lanez gets 10 years in prison for shooting Megan The Stallion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 10, 202359 min

#882 Karine Jean-Pierre: Dating Coach (ft. Karine Jean-Pierre)

Today we’re joined by Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary Topics: The first time she met President Biden (while working for President Obama)! The moment she learned she would be the next White House Press Secretary What are the most fun days to work at the White House? Her proudest moments of the Biden Administration (so far) Her go-to wind-down routine after a particularly eventful press conference Why she wants to advise Milly on her dating life Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

Aug 07, 202326 min

Soft Black Woman: The #SoftLife, How It Started, & Its Barriers Ft. Dominique Fluker

On this episode of Soft Black Woman, host Dr. Akilah Cadet welcomes Dominique Fluker, Essence’s contributing lifestyle editor and writer of the viral article: Living The #SoftLife: Here’s Why Black Women Are Rejecting The Harmful “Strong Black Woman” Trope. Plus, they tell us how they’re prioritizing softness in their own lives. Be sure to subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode of Soft Black Woman, out every Friday. Co-host: @dominiquebfluker, Dominique Fluker Topics: The story behind Domini...

Aug 04, 202339 min

#881 Can Trump Be President From Prison? (Indictment 3.0, Lizzo)

Topics: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is single. Where should he mingle? How likely is it that Trump will serve prison time? And can he serve as president from jail? Here’s what it might look like. Lizzo is accused of workplace harassment but denies any wrongdoing. We unpack the complicated nature of the allegations. Claire Watkins, staff writer with @justwomenssports, analyzes the Women's World Cup so far and why people are worried about the USWNT. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

Aug 03, 202354 min

#880 Capitol Tantrums (Congressional Mess)

Topics: The shocking reason a Georgia city council member accused her Vietnamese American colleague of being “un-American” and “failing” as a citizen A Republican congressman absolutely loses his shit on a group of teenage Senate pages. Which two congressmen had a bathroom altercation about whether one of them is a “pussy?" Finally, we’ve all seen “Barbie” and offer our highs and lows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 31, 20231 hr 1 min

Soft Black Woman: Barbenheimer, Emmet Till’s Monument, & Missouri’s Revoked Resolution Ft. Milly Tamarez

On this episode of Soft Black Woman, host Dr. Akilah Cadet welcomes Betches SUP co-host Milly Tamarez to talk about the latest trending pop culture and news headlines of the week. Plus, they tell us how they’re prioritizing softness in their own lives. Be sure to subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode of Soft Black Woman, out every Friday. Co-host: @milly_tamarez, Milly TamarezTopics: After watching the Barbie movie, Dr. Cadet and Milly chat about their takeaways. VP Harris delivers speech i...

Jul 28, 20231 hr 1 min

#879 ‘Non-human Biologics’ (Aliens, Mitch McConnell)

Topics: How we’re handling this summer of record-breaking temperatures Reacting to the wildest moments from the House Oversight Committee hearing on potential extra-terrestrial life Do we think there are aliens? We take the question as far as it goes. What to expect if another Trump indictment drops this week Why Rudy Giuliani is back in the news Are Men OK? No, we mean it, is Mitch McConnell physically ok? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 27, 202356 min

#878 What’s The Tea On Ken’s T (Florida, Hollywood)

Topics: “Barbie” wasn’t made for men – and they aren't handling it well! Unpacking the most unhinged reactions to a record-breaking weekend in cinema Vice President Kamala Harris makes a mid-summer visit to Florida – and we can’t get enough Jillian Curwin joins to discuss problematic depictions of little people in media, from the “Wonka” trailer to “Snow White’s” misguided attempt to reimagine the seven dwarfs Read Jillian’s article Little People Have A Big Problem With Hollywood at the link bel...

Jul 24, 202355 min

Soft Black Woman: Hot Strike Summer, Carlee Russell, & Jason Aldean Ft. Nell Diamond

On this episode of Soft Black Woman, host Dr. Akilah Cadet welcomes Nell Diamond, founder and CEO of Hill House, to talk about the latest trending pop culture and news headlines of the week. Plus, they tell us how they’re prioritizing softness in their own lives. Be sure to subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode of Soft Black Woman, out every Friday. Co-Host: @nelliediamond, Nell Diamond Topics: An update on the SAG-AFTRA strike and how the rules apply to non writers and actors. Carlee Russe...

Jul 21, 202347 min

#877 In A Barbie World (World Cup, Indictment watch)

Topics: FIFA moves the Women’s World Cup to bigger stadiums in response to record-breaking ticket demand Trump indictment watch resumes! Can the Former Guy effectively run for president in between the 4-6 trials he’ll have next year? Is “Barbie” too ruined by corporatization to be subversive? We have faith in Greta Gerwig. Are Men OK? Featuring mass shooting survivor Jason Aldean Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 20, 202358 min

#876 Drafted To The Culture Wars ft. Ilana Glazer & Glennis Meagher

Ilana Glazer and Glennis Meagher, co-founders of Generator Collective, join to discuss how massively influential young voters can stay engaged with politics in a positive way while far-right politicians insist on hateful culture wars. Learn more at @generatorcollectiveOther topics: The Iowa caucuses are only six months away. But we just got a disturbing preview. Ilana Glazer introduced much of the internet to this shocking revelation about Ron DeSantis. Are DEI programs standing in the way of mi...

Jul 17, 20231 hr 12 min

Soft Black Woman: Opill (Birth Control), Hot Moms, & Trump’s Trial Ft. Cameron Rogers

On the second episode of Soft Black Woman, host Dr. Akilah Cadet welcomes Cameron Oaks Rogers, host of the Freckled Foodie podcast, to talk about the latest trending pop culture and news headlines of the week. Plus, they tell us how they're prioritizing softness in their own lives. Be sure to subscribe now so you don't miss an episode of Soft Black Woman, out every Friday. Co-Host: @FreckledFoodie, Cameron Oaks Rogers Topics: FDA approved first over-the-counter birth control pill. Keke Palmer an...

Jul 14, 202352 min

#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
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