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

Chief of Vibes w. Megan Rapinoe

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco sit down with U.S. Women’s National Team soccer star and activist Megan Rapinoe to talk about the Qatar World Cup, pay equity and transparency, being a woman in soccer, and her and her fiancé Sue Bird’s shoe collections. Then, in News: Erin and Alyssa talk January 6th updates (summary: Find Out Season continues), rail workers’ labor rights, and recent Balenciaga scandals. Finally, Megan Rapinoe joins the ranting in I Feel Petty. Show Notes Soccer star Megan Rapi...

Dec 01, 202255 min

Extra Helpings

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by Megan Gailey and Kara Klenk celebrate Thanksgiving by bringing you another installment of Solicited Advice! Plus Sani-Petty! For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. Show Notes Hook On Chair, Clip on High Chair, Fold-Flat Storage Portable Baby Feeding Seat INSTANT POT BUFFALO CHICKEN...

Nov 24, 20221 hr 10 min

Conservateur Tears w. Mallory McMorrow

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow to take a victory lap on Michigan’s big election night! From enshrining abortion rights to flipping the state house and state senate. Then in News: Erin and Alyssa talk about Trump's Presidential announcement, the University of California academic worker strike, the Taylor Swift/ Ticketmaster clusterfuck, and toast Christina Applegate. Plus! Dana Schwartz and Kiran Deol join to talk about the decline of women...

Nov 17, 20221 hr 20 min

Introducing Work Appropriate: How to Make Work Less Hostile to Parents with Jessica Grose

American society is still organized around a presumption that every family unit has a full-time caregiver in the home. Jessica Grose, mom of 2 and opinion writer for The New York Times , joins host Anne Helen Petersen to answer questions about the struggle, sadness, and burnout that comes from trying to still get by in that space, even when it isn't reality for millions of families. To hear even more episodes don't forget to subscribe to Work Appropriate. If you've got a workplace quandary you w...

Nov 15, 202250 min

Find Out Season

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk midterm election results we know so far with Grace Parra Janney and Crooked’s Vice President of Politics Shaniqua McClendon. Then, a break from all that! With a completely non-political Sani-Petty. Show Notes CNN panelist predicts 'bad night,' says Democrats didn't 'listen' to voters throughout the election For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name...

Nov 10, 20221 hr 5 min

B-B-B-Bye, Corona

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk SCOTUS’s affirmative action arguments — some poignant, some petty — and the attack on Paul Pelosi before reminding everyone that the midterms are this! Tuesday! Next, Amanda Nguyen and Megan Gailey come on to look back on the way we behaved during the height of COVID and whether or not there’s forgiveness there. To end, a little Sani-Pedi. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts...

Nov 03, 20221 hr 20 min

Coffee Table Book-ish w. Lorena Austin

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss the latest bad news: anti-semitism’s surge, Britney Griner’s rejected appeal, and schoolchildren’s low post-pandemic scores on a national exam. Then, Lorena Austin joins to talk about her crucial campaign for Arizona State House. Next, Dana Schwartz and Kara Klenk join to talk about looking smart, gifted child syndrome, and rainbow-organized bookshelves. Finally, a healthy dose of joy and annoyance with Sani-Pedi. For a closed-captioned version of this e...

Oct 27, 20222 hr 40 min

Live from LA! w. Karen Bass

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco come to you live from LA, reuniting for the first time since pre-pandemic! They kick off the show interviewing LA’s (hopefully) future mayor Congresswoman Karen Bass about all things midterms. Then, Megan Gailey, Julissa Arce, and Kiran Deol join to talk about the doomed fate of wife guys. Finally, the crew finishes the show reading and arguing about hot takes from the audience. Show Notes Karen Bass Roger Stone calls Ivanka Trump an 'abortionist bitch' after no...

Oct 20, 20221 hr 2 min

Beto O'Rourke Makes History w. Beto O'Rourke

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco welcome Hysteria’s FIRST MALE interview guest: Beto O’Rourke! Never not breaking barriers over here. After talking to him about his Texas governor race, Erin and Alyssa continue their October Witch of the Week series with the indigenous Deer Woman. Next, Tien Tran and Megan Gailey join to talk about rich-poor friendships and end the show with a Halloween-adjacent Sani-Petty. Show Notes Beto for Texas The Deer Woman The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones 9...

Oct 13, 20222 hr 30 min

Consent of the Governed w. Kyra Harris Bolden

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco dive into staunchly pro-life Herschel Walker’s abortion underwriting and Florida’s invasion into the privacy of student athletes before sitting down with Michigan State Supreme Court candidate Kyra Harris Bolden. Next, Amanda Nguyen and Nona Willis Aronowitz come on to chat about sex, consent, and how the "sexual revolution" has let some women down. Then, we end on a Sani-Petty. Show Notes Kyra Harris Bolden for Michigan Supreme Court Baba Yaga Rise (Amanda Nguy...

Oct 06, 20221 hr 11 min

Downward Viral w. Chloe Maxmin

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco shoutout Lizzo’s crystal flute skills before getting into the news: the aftermath of Mahsa Amini’s death, the election of Italy’s brand new lady fascist and state-level lies and secrets that will make you shake your damn head. Then, Michaela Watkins and Julissa Arce join to talk about the intersection of misogyny and disinformation, inspired by Don’t Worry Darling and the pervasion of Russian bots online. Finally, a balanced ending: Sani-Petty. For a closed-capt...

Sep 29, 20221 hr 15 min

Ol’ Yeller w. Secretary Katie Hobbs

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco get into the latest abortion news — bans, polls, men being evil — before sitting down with Arizona’s Secretary of State Katie Hobbs to discuss her running for governor in a major toss-up race against a rocket launcher enthusiast. Next, Kiran Deol and our senior producer Caroline Reston come on to talk about getting berated and how to respond when someone yells at you. Then, we end the show with an instant classic, Sani-Petty. Show Notes: Puerto Rico never recove...

Sep 22, 20221 hr 27 min

Vacation Daze

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco dive into the highs (WNBA breaking records, Abbott Elementary winning Emmys) and the lows (the proposed federal abortion ban, the mess that is the GOP) of the latest national news. Then, Kiran Deol and Kara Klenk join to discuss why Americans are so bad at unplugging when they’re OOO. Finally, we’ve chosen a name for our I Feel Petty and Sanity Corner combo: Sani-Petty! For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode...

Sep 15, 20221 hr 27 min

“Let the Bachelorettes Kiss!” w. Jill Gutowitz & Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by Jill Gutowitz and Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein to discuss the queering of reality dating shows and the undeniable chemistry between the two current Bachelorettes. Plus, rounding out the summer with a I Feel Petty/Sanity Corner combo! Show Notes Six on Broadway Tony Performance For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast....

Sep 08, 202246 min

Handmaid’s Fail w. Dr. Aria Halliday

Erin Ryan is joined by guest co-host Grace Parra-Janney to embark on another Tour de Fuckery, checking in on what tomfoolery is going on in various red states. Then, Erin chats with scholar, teacher, and cultural theorist Dr. Aria Halliday about the Handmaid’s Tale as a post-Dobbs cultural reference and the relationship between Black women and reproductive justice. Next, Julissa Arce and Amanda Nguyen come on to discuss the suburban equalizer, the Target run. Finally, a little I Feel Petty, a li...

Sep 01, 20221 hr 23 min

Horny Judgment

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco get into Biden’s student loan debt relief program, Secretary-Mayor Pete’s proposed new rules to strengthen airline passenger protection, and discuss how abortion on the ballot is driving women to register to vote in higher numbers than men. Then, Grace Parra-Janney and Dana Schwartz join to talk about Finland’s Prime Minister daring to have a social life, our Russian conspiracy theories of her public attack and the unfair judgment we place on public facing women...

Aug 25, 20221 hr 18 min

Talkin’ Toxic

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss Dr. Oz’s baffling crudité video, living in a post-Roe digital dystopia, and future former Congresswoman Liz Cheney. Then, Akilah Hughes and Tien Tran come in to talk about identifying our own toxic traits — and seeing the positives in our negatives. Finally, an extra toxic I Feel Petty-Sanity Corner combo. Show Notes: Not Just Kansas; Women Motivated to Vote in States with Repro Rights at Risk Jared Kushner’s ‘Breaking History’ Is a Soulless and Very Sel...

Aug 18, 20221 hr 16 min

Adult Children

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco toast to the victory that is the Inflation Reduction Act before getting into teacher shortages, abortion bans, and Facebook being a menace to democracy. Next, Kiran Deol and Julissa Arce join to talk about parental approval of your decisions, from childhood to adulthood. Finally, a little I Feel Petty, a little Sanity Corner. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and in...

Aug 11, 20221 hr 27 min

Kiss My Kansas

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco start on a high note, celebrating the abortion rights victory in Kansas before discussing more reproductive rights news and embarking on another state-by-state Tour de Fuckery. Then, Shaniqua McClendon and Dana Schwartz come on to discuss quiet quitting, girlbossing, and having a life outside of work. Finally, a I Feel Petty-Sanity Corner combo. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email transcript...

Aug 04, 20221 hr 20 min

Kiln of the Patriarchy w. Betsy West & Julie Cohen

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk to Betsy West and Julie Cohen about their latest film Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down, an inspiring story about recovering from gun violence which they describe as a romance, a comedy, and a musical! In news, Erin and Alyssa continue discussing Roe’s impact, from walking out on an anti-abortion speaker to codifying gay marriage to responding to right-wing Twitter hate with fundraising for abortion access. Then, Michaela Watkins and Megan Gailey come on to di...

Jul 28, 20221 hr 17 min

Made In Names w. Amanda Nguyen

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco interview activist Amanda Nguyen, the founder and CEO of civil rights accelerator Rise, to talk about gamifying lawmaking and seeking justice for rape survivors across the globe. Then, in news, Erin and Alyssa assess the current state of the fight for abortion rights on multiple stages: the streets, medical facilities, and the courts. Next, Tien Tran and Julissa Arce join to talk about changing your name, à la J. Lo turned Jennifer Affleck. Finally, the best of ...

Jul 21, 20221 hr 9 min

"Radical!" w. Bernardine Dohrn

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk to academic and activist Bernardine Dohrn on the heels of Crooked’s new award-winning podcast, Mother Country Radicals, which tells the story of her life in advocacy. Next, in news, Erin and Alyssa start with a glimmer of hope and move on to a Tour de Bullshit, going into the terrible things happening in individual states, from Alaska to Tennessee. Then, Kara Klenk and Grace Parra Janney join to discuss cults. Finally, a positive ending with Sanity Corner. ...

Jul 14, 20221 hr 18 min

Generation Nudes

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by Grace Parra Janney and Julissa Arce to do another special episode of Solicited Advice. Then, I Feel Petty. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Jul 07, 20221 hr 2 min

We Ride at Dawn w. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand about the realities and battles of a post-Roe America. Next, in News, Erin and Alyssa dive into the different responses — from Democrats, from the GOP, from the states — to the overturning of abortion rights. Then, they’re joined by Charlie Jane Anders and Annalee Newitz to talk about the power of imagining different realities through science fiction while we live in an increasingly dystopian society, and why queer and other ma...

Jun 30, 20221 hr 24 min

The Future WAS Female

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco prepare for more Supreme Court decisions this week by working through three hypothetical outcomes of the impending abortion ruling. Next, in News: Erin and Alyssa discuss January 6 hearing updates and states no longer scheduling abortions in light of being in Roe v. Wade limbo. Then, Dana Schwartz and Julissa Arce join for Personal/Political to break down “The Future Isn’t Female,” an op-ed in the New York Times by Michelle Goldberg, and the cringe state of femi...

Jun 23, 20221 hr 26 min

Pull Yourself Up by the Bra Straps w. Katy Tur

Happy 200 episodes! Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk to NBC anchor Katy Tur about her honest new memoir Rough Draft. Then in News: Erin and Alyssa discuss Liz Cheney’s Jan. 6 opening statement, the tampon shortage (and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s dizzy, transphobic comments about it), a new Ohio law allowing teachers to carry guns after barely any training, and the alt-right attacking Pride events nationwide. Later, Megan Gailey, Naomi Ekperigin, Grace Parra Janney, and Kiran Deol join to ref...

Jun 16, 20222 hr 46 min

To Dianne For w. Rebecca Traister

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk to NY Mag writer-at-large Rebecca Traister about her newest piece on Dianne Feinstein. Plus in News: Erin and Alyssa reflect on the Uvalde victim stories and Matthew McConaughey’s surprising engagement in the gun conversation. Then Megan Gailey and Dana Schwartz join to discuss the bikini menace and the rise and fall of the “bikini body”. Finally, a very petty I Feel Petty. Show Notes: Text ACT to 644-33 For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click...

Jun 09, 20221 hr 29 min

Joy, Justice and Excellence w. Becky Pringle

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk to the President of the National Education Association Becky Pringle about what it means to arm teachers with guns and the extraordinary burden teachers have carried the past few years. Then in News: Erin and Alyssa talk about Michigan Governor’s Whitmer executive directive on abortion, reproductive health, Japan’s terrible abortion laws, plus a man does a cool thing?! Next: Kara Klenk and Tien Tran join to discuss the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp defamation...

Jun 02, 20221 hr 14 min

Laws > Prayers w. Shannon Watts

On this week’s show, Erin and Alyssa welcome Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, to process the massacre that happened in Uvalde, Texas, and to offer a glimmer of hope in the wake of tragedy. Then, Priyanka Aribindi and Kiran Deol join for Personal/Political to discuss combatting the fatigue that comes with the omnipresence of these horrific attacks and say Fuck That Guy to the men who continuously to allow them to happen. Finally, a much, much needed Sanity Corner filled with TV r...

May 26, 20221 hr 9 min

Bad Abbotts w. Bethenny Frankel & Rep. Rosa DeLauro

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss the primaries then are joined by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro to talk about the baby formula shortage and what led to this catastrophic situation. Plus Bethenny Frankel joins to talk about her new book and the future of female leadership. Next: Grace Parra-Janney and Julissa Arce join to discuss the systemic failures of our government and the everyday heroes who pick up the slack. Finally a much needed Sanity Corner. For a closed-captioned version of this ...

May 19, 20221 hr 27 min