Hysteria - podcast cover

Hysteria

Crooked Mediacrooked.com
Political commentator and comedy writer Erin Ryan and former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by a bicoastal squad of funny, opinionated women to talk through everything from reproductive rights to romcoms. They break down the political news of the week, plus the topics, trends, and cultural stories that affect women’s lives.

Episodes

Believe It Or Not

This week Erin Ryan and everybody's favorite Alyssa Mastromonaco joins to talk about Hope Hicks’ New York Times glamor shot and what this week's Supreme Court ruling might mean for the future of Roe v Wade. Then, Grace Parra and Naomi Ekperigin join in studio to answer the biggest question of all: Are you there, God? And, as always, our hills.

May 30, 20191 hr 6 min

On Demand, Without Apology

This week Erin and the number one Alyssa Mastromonaco of all time joins to discuss what's been on our minds a lot this week: a new smattering of anti-choice laws in states like Alabama, Missouri, and Ohio, and what we can do about it now. Then, Megan Gailey, Dana Schwartz, and Grace Parra join in studio to talk about how reproductive health care is something that affects all of us every day, and how men can participate in the fight against going full Handmaids. And as always, our hills. Support ...

May 23, 20191 hr 11 min

"Bitch, I Care" w. Allison Williams

This week Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco unpack the hellish hellscape of a hell week, from what’s happening in Alabama, Georgia and beyond and what can be done. No thanks to Susan Collins. Then, we've got a special treat for Personal/Political-- actor Allison Williams joins Naomi Ekperigin and Megan Gailey in studio to talk about how sometimes, when everything seems terrible, putting on fake eyelashes and a wig and sashaying glamorously out into the world can make things feel a little less aw...

May 16, 20191 hr 8 min

Mother Dearest w. Jane Marie

It’s the mother of all episodes! Erin Ryan and the ever-electable Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss this week's news-- from new maternal mortality legislation to what's happening in Georgia. Then, Tien Tran, Grace Parra and special guest Jane Marie join in-studio to discuss moms -- what they've gone through to bring us into the world and what they've taught us. And finally, a very special Hysteria moms edition of the hills we'll die on.

May 09, 20191 hr 10 min

All By Myself

This week Erin Ryan is joined by Michaela Watkins, Kiran Deol, and Dana Schwartz to tackle being alone, whether that's alone with your thoughts, alone in another country, or alone in your apartment and how those moments can be good for you. Plus, Alyssa Mastromonaco calls in to discuss boring liars, interesting liars, and dangerous liars, and about Joe Biden's seeming inability to apologize. Then as always, our Hills.

May 02, 20191 hr 9 min

Pants on Fire

This week, Erin Ryan is joined Megan Gailey, Grace Parra and Dana Schwartz to talk about the lies we tell each other, the lies we tell ourselves, and why liars are so fascinating. Plus, Alyssa Mastromonaco joins to discuss the vindication of Michelle Wolf's Smoky Eye of Lies joke, and look ahead to the democrats who could challenge our liar in chief. And as always, our Hills.

Apr 25, 20191 hr 12 min

Cut and Run

This week Erin Ryan is joined by Kiran Deol, Dana Schwartz and Tien Tran to get to the heart of how and why we make the decision to quit. (Don’t worry; we’re not quitting!) Plus, Alyssa Mastromonaco calls in to break down why Ivanka Trump’s photo op tour in Africa is a new hypocritical high, even for her. And as always, our Hills.

Apr 18, 20191 hr 6 min

Shame, Shame, Shame

This week Erin Ryan is joined by Megan Gailey, Michaela Watkins and Grace Parra to shamelessly discuss shame. Is it a weapon of the patriarchy or a tool necessary to shape a functional society of non-assholes? Or a little of both? Plus, Alyssa Mastromonaco calls into discuss how fringe voices on the right are suddenly more mainstream than ever. Then, as always, our hills.

Apr 11, 201959 min

Charlotte’s Web of Lies

This week Erin Ryan is joined by Kiran Deol, Tien Tran and Dana Schwartz to talk about the invisible labor that women take on. Plus Alyssa Mastromonaco calls in to dissect why the media is so obsessed with qualifying female presidential candidate’s likability. And as always: our Hills.

Apr 04, 20191 hr

Confidence Women

This week Erin Ryan is joined by Tien Tran, Naomi Ekperigin and Michaela Watkins to unravel the multitude of reasons women feel a little bad about themselves most of the time. Plus Alyssa Mastromonaco calls in to discuss the GOP’s never-ending war against the uterus. And as always: our Hills.

Mar 28, 20191 hr 3 min

The Meritocracy Show

This week Erin Ryan is joined by the LA OGs Kiran Deol, Megan Gailey, and Grace Parra to get to the truth of the so-called meritocracy of American education. Plus Alyssa Mastromonaco is back and here to answer our the burning question: Are we ready for a male President? And as always: our Hills.

Mar 21, 201959 min

Gossip, Folks

Have you heard? This week Erin Ryan is joined by Michaela Watkins, Grace Parra and Tien Tran to discuss gossip as both a useful tool and a deadly weapon. Plus, Akilah Hughes fills in for Alyssa to gleefully parse through the college admission scam bombshell and re-examine the #FakeMelania story. And as always: our Hills.

Mar 14, 20191 hr 6 min

We Solved Feminism!

This week Erin Ryan is joined by Megan Gailey, Naomi Ekperigin and Tien Tran to discuss all the different facets of feminism and why yelling “GIRL POWER” at things isn’t enough. Plus, America’s other soulmate Akilah Hughes fills in for Alyssa to break down the news and why Gayle King is now officially on our Hysteria Women's History Month vision board. And as always: our Hills.

Mar 07, 201952 min

Money, Cash, (Bernie) Bros

She’s arrived, live and in the flesh! Alyssa Mastromonaco is in studio and joins Erin Ryan, Kiran Deol and newest member of the Hysteria fam Naomi Ekperigin to break down why we have deep anxieties when it comes to money and finance. Plus, Erin and Alyssa tackle another topic that’s often a little awkward in mixed company: Bernie 2020. Finally, in an unexpected turn, our Hills turn into an all out battle as the gang debates whether sharing plates at dinner is acceptable.

Feb 28, 20191 hr 3 min

Can We Be Friends?

This week Erin is joined by Michaela Watkins, Grace Parra and Dana Schwartz as they attempt to navigate the minefields and Elysian Fields of female friendships. Making friends is hard; dumping friends is even harder! Plus, Alyssa calls in to rundown the bountiful list of kickass democratic women running for President. And as always: our Hills.

Feb 21, 20191 hr 1 min

U Up?

On this very special Valentines Day, Erin is joined by Megan Gailey and welcomes new members of the Hysteria fam Dana Schwartz and Tien Tran. We tackle the big questions: how much is a sext worth? Why aren’t millennials hooking up? Is sex in the modern era worth all the risks and downsides? Then Megan has a run-in with one of Trump world’s most irritating people. Plus, Alyssa calls in to discuss the Virginia mess, the Kavanaugh mess, and Trump’s messy Texas rally. And as always: our Hills!...

Feb 14, 201956 min

What's Wrong With Men?

We’re back, and more adamant than ever! This week, Erin is joined by Grace Parra, Kiran Deol and brand new member of the Hysteria fam Michaela Watkins to discuss the age old question: “Men: U Ok?” It turns out: not really! Plus Alyssa Mastromonaco calls in to debrief on the State of the Union and reflect on the AOC cape energy we’re bringing to 2019! And as always: the hills we’ll die on.

Feb 07, 201956 min

Silver Linings Yearbook

It’s our last episode of the year and Erin is joined by Megan Gailey and Grace Parra to take a look back on an exhausting but rewarding 2018, from the heroes who yelled at Jeff Flake in an elevator to the Laurel/Yanny debate! Plus we feature some more listeners submitted Hills, I’ll Have What She’s Having, and the group gives a cathartic ‘fuck you’ to the worst holiday, New Year’s Eve.

Dec 27, 201847 min

Help Your Mother!

This week Erin is joined by Megan Gailey and Grace Parra to celebrate Penny Marshall’s legacy and NY Attorney General Barbara Underwood’s epic takedown of the Trump Foundation. Then, we ponder why the holidays bring out 1950’s gender roles. Plus, incoming chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Rep. Karen Bass stops by to discuss what happens when Democrats take over the House in mere weeks. Finally, in a very special edition of the Hills We’ll Die on, we roast some the the holiday’s most belove...

Dec 20, 20181 hr 5 min

"Beyonce of Gun Control" w. Shannon Watts

This week Erin is joined by Megan Gailey and Kiran Deol to discuss the dream of Nancy Pelosi as Trump’s worst nightmare, a small SCOTUS victory for Planned Parenthood, and the huge sorry the world owes to Jazmine Headley. Then, Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts stops by to talk about her inspiring fight against gun violence. And then, as always our Hills.

Dec 13, 20181 hr 4 min

Valencia Non Grata

This week Erin is joined by Grace Parra and special guest co-host Tien Tran to investigate whether or not Kellyanne Conway and her husband are engaged in a twisted form of flirting, why Michelle Obama said S-H-I-T and how social media is destroying our self esteem…OR IS IT? Then, in the Week In Sorry, a DJ is forced to apologize after asking the best soccer player in the world to twerk. Never trust a DJ! And as always we lay out our Hills.

Dec 06, 20181 hr 3 min

Pass Those Pearls Down

This week Erin is joined by Megan Gailey and Ziwe to cover the bleak election news from Mississippi, Secretary DeVos’ new proposal to protect college rapists, and Melania Trump’s very creepy themed Christmas at the White House. Then, we talk about aging gracefully into your power in Personal/Political. Note, being a Real Housewife definitely counts! Plus, Dolce & Gabbana issues an apology for being awful, and Hysteria does not accept. And as always the Hills We’ll Die On.

Nov 29, 20181 hr 2 min

Hillsgiving

It’s a very special Thanksgiving episode of Hysteria! This week Erin is joined by Grace Parra and Kiran Deol to finally open some of that reader mail. We answer everything from why women love pockets to what to do when your friend might be a toxic bro. Then we play your listener submitted Hills You’ll Die On and lay out the things we’re grateful for this season. Happy Hillsgiving!

Nov 22, 201847 min

Darling, Will U Murder Me?

The election is over and we can finally relax...haha kidding we’re stuck in an endless hell cycle until probably forever or until the earth drowns itself. But, there is good news! This week, Kiran Deol and Grace Parra join Erin to bask in the still-breaking blue wave. Then, we talk public marriage proposals and the time Erin ended up on a kiss cam with her brother. Plus we resurrect I’ll Have What She’s Having, and as always we have our Hills.

Nov 15, 20181 hr

A Lady Wave

This week, we take a moment to enjoy the sweet taste of 2018 victory before we start full steam ahead into 2020. Erin is joined by Kiran Deol and Alyssa Mastromonaco to break down everything that went down on election night, and all the firsts female candidates and voters achieved. Then, Erin talks with a very happy EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock about how women are the present and future of progressive politics. Plus, as always, our Hills!

Nov 08, 201858 min

"Red Wine At Noon" w. Amber Heard

This week: Erin tries to give a pep talk, Megan Gailey teaches us about safety work and Kiran Deol shows up dressed like a pirate. Your hosts tackle the news, from the conservative failson who attempted to pay women to report false accusations against Robert Muller, to Kavanaugh’s triumphant return to bro haven Georgetown Prep, to why we can’t rely on the “blue wave” to save us in the midterms. Then, Erin talks with Oregon Governor Kate Brown about her hard fight for reelection and the importanc...

Nov 01, 20181 hr 8 min

What The Hex?

Everywhere you look…We’ve got a full house on Hysteria! This week Erin is joined in studio by Kiran Deol and Grace Parra as they weigh in on witchcraft as a viable fix for this country’s problems, Trump’s horrific attempt to define gender, and later check in with a few of the women we’ve highlighted running in competitive house races. Plus, Alyssa joins in for a status check in UterUS Weekly, Blair and Ziwe talk the migrant caravan in Let’s Get Uncomfy and as always, the Hills I’ll Die On....

Oct 25, 201849 min

Ghost Of Your Penis

This week Erin is joined by Megan Gailey and Grace Parra to meditate on the merits of “horseface” as an insult, parse all the ways USA gymnastics has fucked up, and repeatedly smack our foreheads over Hillary Clinton’s latest comments on Monica Lewinsky. Then, a palate cleanser: the hosts showcase a few inspirational women in governor’s races. Later, Erin chats with New York Mag’s Rebecca Traister about where all this female rage came from and what to do with it. And still later: Ziwe Fumudoh an...

Oct 18, 20181 hr 9 min

Tiramisu of Garbage w. Senator Heidi Heitkamp

This week, Erin is joined by Megan Gailey and Kiran Deol to discuss what’s next in our Kavanaugh hellscape. (Trust us, we’re just as tired of talking about Judge Brett as you are!) Then they break down a few anti-choice initiatives that have creeped their way onto several state’s ballots. And later: North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp joins Erin to bond over being Midwestern and explain how she came to vote no Kavanaugh. Plus, This Week in Sorry and the crew gets petty with Hill I’ll Die On. And...

Oct 11, 201857 min

Head Explodes w. Senator Mazie Hirono

This week Erin is joined by Grace Parra and Kiran Deol as they navigate the beer-soaked hell that is this week. But it’s not all bad: they also focus on some good news, introducing you to some inspiring female candidates who could help flip seats from red to blue. And speaking of inspiring: Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii joins us to break down the “bullshit” of this head-exploding moment in history. Later, writer/actress Jen Richards joins the group for a conversation about trickle down feminism...

Oct 04, 20181 hr 6 min