This week on Fake the Nation, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian Katie Hannigan and host of the How To podcast, Mike Pesca. On this episode, the panel valiantly tackles the rise of the "Refresher" - what is it and are you drinking it through your mouth hole in large quantities? They also look at the Virginia Supreme Court's utter gall, the Iran War that can't stop won't stop, and Transportation Sean Duffy's new reality show. Plus, can we all hop on board "Ballroom Republicans" ...
May 14, 2026•48 min•Ep. 515
Today on Fake the Nation, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian/author Mindy Raf and historian/author Joseph S. Moore. Together, they discuss the legacy of Ted Turner, the possible reboot of The Apprentice, the gutting of the Voting Rights Act, the gosh darned Ballroom, and whether the first wave of school cell phone bans worked. Plus, Joseph S. Moore, this episode's resident historian, gives us a reason to feel optimistic - which is the most Fake-the-Nation-ist thing he could hav...
May 07, 2026•55 min•Ep. 514
This week, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian and writer Benari Lee for a weirdo episode of Fake The Nation! Due to logistical hurdles - all Negin's fault, naturally - this special two person episode will tackle a new way to staff nursing homes out of Japan, the attempted shooting at the White House Correspondant's Dinner, the growing rift of Tucker Carlson, and how RFK does math. Enjoy! Next week we'll be back with the format you're used to. Follow everyone! @BenariLee and he'...
Apr 29, 2026•41 min•Ep. 513
This week, comedian and Fake the Nation host Negin Farsad is joined by Washington Post Style Writer Shane O’Neill and comedian/Daily Show writer Matt Koff. Together, they discuss the re-emergence of Michael Jackson and the cultural power of cougars! They dip into war talk and Kash Patel talk. Plus, they look at new data that shows more and more Americans are getting their news from comedians and influencers instead of actual news. And finally, why are some Gen Z men attracted to Catholicism? Sha...
Apr 22, 2026•55 min•Ep. 512
This week, comedian and host Negin Farsad brings you two conversations from the vault. Jordan Carlos and Justin Krebs join to discuss why people would wait in the longer self-checkout line instead of using the SHORTER line with a human cashier. It's happening and we need to understand why!? John Hodgman and Emily Flake also join to discuss how to make long lasting friends. Together they have all the answers...or none of them, you decide! Follow Everyone! @NeginFarsad - read her latest screed in ...
Apr 16, 2026•23 min•Ep. 511
This week, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian and host of the podcast The Mary Houlihan Show, Mary Houlihan! She’s also joined by comedian and founder of the brand new club, The Greenpoint Comedy Club in Brooklyn! Together, they ask, would you pay money to go on a reading retreat where a bunch of strangers read one book out loud? And, would you pay money for the “Relax Row” – and if you don’t know what that is, press play! They also get into the politics of war, the politics of...
Apr 09, 2026•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 510
This week on Fake the Nation, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian Caleb Zeringue (Luigi: The Musical) and podcast host Jody Avirgan (This Day Pod) to discuss why men wear shoes that are bigger than their actual feet... but also, why Sora shut down. This podcast is a bird of many feathers because that's not all! They also talk about Democrats' Special Election wins, the No Kings rallies, and Trump's signature on bills. They also weigh in on YouTube and Meta's losses in court - th...
Mar 31, 2026•55 min•Ep. 509
Today on Fake the Nation, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by fellow Wait Wait Don't Tell Me comedian Helen Hong and co-host of the podcast Text Me Back, Meagan Hatcher Mays. Together they talk about data that shows difficult people AGE you faster! Obviously! But also it's fun that there's now data to prove it. In politics, they take a more macro view of the right by asking whether we have reached end stage polarization AND whether MAGA has entered its cringe era? (And maybe those are on...
Mar 26, 2026•57 min•Ep. 508
This week on Fake the Nation, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian Katie Compa, and journalist/special correspondent to The Nation DD Guttenplan. They discuss a possible antidote to our shot attention spans and the terribly titled, Friction Maxxing! They also talk about war, war coverage and the perils of having an FCC license. Plus! They grade Mamdani's first few months as Mayor of NYC. And, finally, what's the difference between limerence and love and does it matter? Follow Eve...
Mar 19, 2026•53 min•Ep. 507
Today, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian and host of the podcast Go Touch Grass, Milly Tamarez. She is also joined by your book-lover BFF and host of The Stacks Podcast, Traci Thomas. Together, they talk about Oscar campaign kerfuffles - some of them involve opera and yet others involve cats! They also talk about the ongoing war with Iran - or as some call it, the "excursion" with Iran. And finally, there’s a term for every time you fix something on your parents phone and it's...
Mar 12, 2026•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 506
This week, comedian and host of Fake the Nation, Negin Farsad, is joined by actor/performer, PepperMint and by writer/podcaster, Rachel Sklar. Together, they reluctantly talk about this confusing war with Iran. They also discuss the phenomenon that is “looksmaxxing.” And finally, they address the burning question, is smut having a renaissance? Follow everyone! Rachel Sklar - @RacheSklar - www.smartfriendsnetwork.com + Breadwinners Podcast Peppermint - @PepperMint247 – Survival of the Thickest + ...
Mar 05, 2026•54 min•Ep. 505
On this week’s episode, comedian and host, Negin Farsad suffered through the State of the Union address so you don’t have to! She is joined by filmmaker and cohost of The A Building Podcast, Menelek Lumumba and NYU professor and host of the podcast Unruly Subjects, Chenjerai Kumanyika. Together they go deep on America, why IPods are having a resurgence and the most controversial topic of them all, what is the best supermarket? Follow Everyone! Menelek Lumumba - @Mumba50 – The A Building Podcast ...
Feb 26, 2026•59 min•Ep. 504
Comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by Fake the Nation-regular, comedian Jordan Carlos, to talk about his new book, Choreplay: The Marriage-Saving Magic of Getting Your Head Out of Your Ass. It’s a must read, especially for dudes who have their heads in their own butts. You know the type. Today’s Sponsor is Qualia Life! Take control of your cellular health today. Go to https://qualialife.com/FAKE to get 50% off and save an extra 15% with the code FAKE. Today’s Sponsor is also Laundry Sauce!...
Feb 23, 2026•25 min•Ep. 503
This week, comedian and Guru of Gab Negin Farsad is joined by comedian and host of the new podcast Epstein Files Book Club, Jena Friedman. She also welcomes to the panel, actor and solo show creator, Star Stone. Together, they tackle AI pets, they’re all the rage in China! They also discuss the boom in bathhouses and the German tradition of house burping. And finally, they check in on the Esptein Files and they try to explain our moment in history with the concept of the 4 Turnings. And don’t wo...
Feb 19, 2026•58 min•Ep. 503
This week, comedian and Head Chatterbox Negin Farsad is joined by Professor of English at University of Wisconsin Madison and host of the podcast Nerd from the Future, Ramzi Fawaz. She’s also joined by a comedian you’ve seen on HBO, Dropoout and wherever you get your laughs, Jenny Zingrino. This week, they look at the possible comeback of protest music and on the political front, they can’t stop/won’t stop talking about the garbage that emanates from dear leader. And finally, they dive into the ...
Feb 12, 2026•54 min•Ep. 502
On this episode of Fake the Nation, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by Emmy Award-winning comedy writer, JR Havlan and writer/host of the show Abolish Everything on Nebula.tv, Chandler Dean. They gab about the first lady’s contribution to cinema and the shuttering of the Kennedy Center for “construction” reasons. They dive into the ugliest of cabals in the Epstein Files and ask how worried we should all be about the possibility of nationalizing elections. Finally, is AI robbing students...
Feb 05, 2026•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 501
This week on Fake the Nation, comedian and host Negin Farsad celebrates her 500th episode of the show! She is joined by comedian/author Jordan Carlos and political strategist/author Justin Krebs. They discuss the continued reign of terror in Minneapolis as well as Republican defections that might signal a turning point for the administration. But don’t worry, they venture into the lightness with the new fad of “stay at home sons” and how foreign films are finding more and more ways to earn Oscar...
Jan 29, 2026•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 500
On this special bonus, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by host of the podcast Smart Girl Dumb Questions, Nayeema Raza, and comedian and host of the pod Standup with Pete Dominick, Pete Dominick. Together they break down an analysis of 47,000 ChatGPT conversations. The stats were part alarming, part inevitable, and part head scratchy. Follow everyone! @NeginFarsad @PeteDominick @NayeemaRaza Check out Negin's latest in Progressive Magazine on how to celebrate America's 250th! Support the ...
Jan 26, 2026•23 min•Ep. 499
This week, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by Vulture Culture Critique and author of The Podcast Pantheon , Sean Malin and writer and star of the musical comedy Wife Material , Sydney Kane. The trio discuss the country's latest frustrations from the continued Greenland threats, to the Peace Board, to MAGA's new acronym "AWFUL." They also ask, does living in a big house make you unhappier? And finally, because Sean has literally written the book on the matter, they talk podcasts: what ma...
Jan 22, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 499
It's a bouncing baby bonus! This week, comedian and host, Negin Farsad, digs into John Fugelsang's best selling new book Separation of Church & Hate. Alongside Maryam Banikarim, the three talk American bigotry, spirituality, and what to say to your racist uncle. Follow Everyone! @NeginFarsad everywhere @Mbanikarim on IG & TikTok @johnfugelsang everywhere Check out Fugelsang's new book ! Check out Mariam's The Longest Table and set one up in your neighborhood!@NeginFarsad everywhere Suppo...
Jan 19, 2026•21 min•Ep. 498
This week, comedian and host of Fake the Nation, Negin Farsad, is joined by comedian and author of New York Times bestseller Separation of Church & Hate , John Fugelsang; plus CMO of everything and host of the podcast The Messy Parts, Maryam Banikarim. They start things off with cultural shenanigans that involve the popularity of sushi among kids and the use of AI in very expensive matchmaking. In politics, they look at the heartbreaking situation in Iran and Minneapolis and the strange para...
Jan 15, 2026•1 hr•Ep. 498
Comedian and Host Negin Farsad couldn't help herself - she has dedicated an entire bonus to the shoddy practice of predictions! Joined by comedian/writer John Hodgman and comedian/cartoonist for The New Yorker , Emily Flake, they predict whether Trump loses his grip on the GOP, how the midterms will turn out, and who the next batch of Democratic celebrities will turn out to be. They could be wrong about all of it. Enjoy! Follow everyone! @johnhodgman on instagram/threads @JUDGEJOHNHODGMANPOD on ...
Jan 12, 2026•23 min•Ep. 497
This week on Fake the Nation, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian and writer John Hodgman! And comedian and cartoonist for The New Yorker , Emily Flake! Together they discuss the neo-imperialist shenanigans of the White House, something great that Colorado is doing, and marble armrests. Plus, they discuss fear and how to conquer it! Check out Negin's latest in Progressive Magazine on how to celebrate America's 250th! Follow everyone! @johnhodgman on instagram/threads @JUDGEJOHNH...
Jan 08, 2026•47 min•Ep. 497
Happy New Year listeners! This week on Fake the Nation, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by Ophira Eisenberg and Mary Houlihan to talk about the trend of senior citizens who go back to college. She's also joined by Nayeema Raza and Pete Dominick to talk about how to elegantly get out of doing things. It's exactly what you need to start the new year right! Follow Everyone! @NeginFarsad @OphiraE @MaryHouli @nayeemaraza @petedominick Support the show at Patreon.com/neginfarsad Rate Fake The...
Jan 01, 2026•47 min•Ep. 496
It's a very merry episode of Fake the Nation where comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian Sally Ann Hall and comedian Vicky Ferentinos to talk about the (weird) color of the year! The many words of the year! And whether you would take an absolutely free TV if it came with a little catch! Merry Christmas to all of our delightful listeners. Follow everyone! @NeginFarsad @VFerentinos @MeSallyAnn Support the show at Patreon.com/neginfarsad Rate Fake The Nation 5-stars on Apple Podcasts...
Dec 25, 2025•46 min•Ep. 495
This week on Fake the Nation, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian/fashion designer Brian Babylon and comedian/podcaster Andrew Ti. They talk about the new batch of data on self-driving cars, apparently they do much better than human drivers! So should we all be embracing the driverless car? Also, Indiana took a stand against mid-decade gerrymandering, RFK hearts Hep B, and finally, Europe can't get people to have babies. Follow Everyone! @NeginFarsad @AndrewTi @BrianBabylon or c...
Dec 18, 2025•50 min•Ep. 494
Tis the season for a bonus! We're dropping in an extra topic in the feed because that's how podcasters celebrate the holidays! Today, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by Cody Lindquist (Showtime 's Our Cartoon President ) and comedian/director Charlie Todd (Improv Everywhere founder) to discuss the Wish-List-ification of gift giving. We also ask, is there actually any joy left in giving gifts?? May you enjoy this pod... as you struggle to finish buying all your gifts. Follow everyone! @c...
Dec 15, 2025•15 min•Ep. 493
This week Fake the Nation comes to you from P&T Podcast Studio and Bookstore in New York's Lower East side. Comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian/actor Cody Lindquist (Showtime 's Our Cartoon President ) and comedian/director Charlie Todd (Improv Everywhere founder) and they address the question on all our minds, why are Mormon women all over television and social media right now?? They also discuss baby's new Trump Account and whether "affordability is a hoax" is a sustainabl...
Dec 10, 2025•53 min•Ep. 492
This week on Fake the Nation, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by journalist/podcaster Nayeema Raza ( Smart Girl Dumb Questions ) and comedian/podcaster Pete Dominick ( Standup With Pete Dominick ). Together, they discuss new research about the behavior of cats! And, they ask if it's suddenly very embarrassing to have a boyfriend. On the political front, they look at the changes in policy for asylum seekers and green card holders. Plus, what do we do about Pete Hegseth's war-crimey leade...
Dec 04, 2025•48 min•Ep. 491
This week comedian and host Negin Farsad has saved up some great conversations for your Thanksgiving earballs. She is joined by DD Guttenplan of The Nation & writer Mark Oppenheimer to ask why Gen Z is resurrecting the 90's. Also! Meghna Chakrabarti of NPR’s On Point and comedian Benari Lee Poulton talk about the fissures of the right wing, with characters like Nick Fuentes and Tucker Carlson making a, let’s say, “bold” appearance in the discourse. Hopefully, this episode will give you enoug...
Nov 26, 2025•34 min•Ep. 490
