Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco celebrate the results of Ohio’s special election — which is fantastic news for the future of reproductive rights in the Buckeye State — in news. Then, journalist TJ Raphael joins to discuss her latest podcast, COVER UP: THE PILL PLOT, a crazy story about smuggling abortion pills into the U.S. in the 90s. Finally, we talk Ron DeSantis’ crumbling presidential campaign, And Just Like That, and the Alabama boat brawl. New episodes drop every Thursday. For a closed-c...
Aug 10, 2023•1 hr 10 min
A sneak peek of the first book from Crooked Media Reads, Mobility, by Lydia Kiesling. Mobility is a gripping coming-of-age story about navigating a world of corporate greed that's both laugh-out-loud funny and politically incisive. The novel tracks themes of class, power, politics, and desire throughout the life of its compelling main character, Bunny Glenn. Vulture called Bunny Glenn “a complicated heroine for the ages, a striver who values the comforts of her oil-industry job even as she must ...
Aug 04, 2023•13 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco are together, in person, in Los Angeles (!) and mock the latest Trump indictment before diving into news coming from the Midwest, from Ohio’s special election and Wisconsin’s Judge-elect Janet Protasiewicz to backstabbing Rep. Tricia Cotham’s and concerning “prenatal care deserts” in South Dakota. Then, Evan Kleinman of KCRW’s Good Food comes on to talk about her TikTok For You Page, growing up in the LA food scene, and pomegranate molasses. Next, Megan Gailey a...
Aug 03, 2023•1 hr 32 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco cover the possibility of a new Trump indictment, the Carlee Russell case, OBGYNs heading to Texas, and Barbie’s record-breaking opening weekend. Then, Julissa Arce and Naomi Ekperigin join to talk birthdays: getting older, watching parents and babies age, and proving to people that we’re thriving — we promise! — even when we have gray hair. Finally, Sani-Petty (Scott Disick is selling air freshener, and insurance companies are never not the worst). For a closed-...
Jul 27, 2023•1 hr 21 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco rave about the FIFA Women’s World Cup before discussing No Labels, the Long Island Serial Killer, and the latest abortion news in Iowa, Ohio, and beyond. Then, What a Day’s Juanita Tolliver joins to get nostalgic and talk Barbie culture — feminism, race in dolls, body image, the works — in anticipation of the summer’s hottest film. Finally, some Sani-Petty, from Flyana Boss to the inevitable fistfight in the GOP caucus. For a closed-captioned version of this epi...
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco cover quite the range of news, from important elections in Ohio that will decide the fate of abortion in the state, to the Zuckerberg / Threads versus Musk / Twitter dick-measuring contest. Then, Kara Klenk and special guest Jamie Loftus — who has copious hot dog knowledge thanks to her debut book, Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs — join the panel to talk about Jonah Hill and his “boundaries.” Finally, some Sani-Petty: we love Margot Robbie’s Barbie carpe...
Jul 13, 2023•1 hr 15 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco cover the latest news — SCOTUS decisions are slowly coming in, and democracy shockingly hasn’t disintegrated yet, plus Trump is still an idiot — before interviewing Senator Amy Klobuchar about her new memoir, The Joy of Politics. Then, to close out Pride Month, associate producer Fiona Pestana joins to discuss the rise of anti-trans legislation over the past year. Finally, some Sani-Petty, featuring Vanna White, fireworks, and baristas. For a closed-captioned ve...
Jun 29, 2023•1 hr 10 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco cover the latest: Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito doesn’t understand what the big deal is about accepting a free luxury vacation from a billionaire megadonor and not reporting it, SCOTUS is finishing up their session, and self-described misogynist and incel influencer Andrew Tate gets indicted. Then, Monica Potts joins to discuss her new book about women in rural America, The Forgotten Girls. Next, Grace Parra-Janney and Dana Schwartz join to discuss weddings...
Jun 22, 2023•1 hr 9 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco celebrate Donny Trump’s birthday by covering his second indictment and mocking the ugly bathroom where he hid classified federal documents. Plus, why is everyone at the Young Women’s Leadership Conference full of…old and irrelevant conservative women gaslighting people into having babies? Then, Tien Tran and Jill Gutowitz come on to talk age-gap relationships: when it makes sense, when it’s actively desirable, and when it’s simply nasty. Finally, bad drivers and...
Jun 15, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco dive into the latest union news and GOP nonsense — Nikki Haley and Harlan Crow, what are you doing? Then, Rep. Becca Balint joins to talk about fighting for queer rights in Congress and singing Springsteen during karaoke. Next, Juanita Toliver, host of Crooked’s What A Day podcast, and Shaniqua McClendon, Crooked’s VP of Politics, join to talk about political spouses: the good ones, the bad ones, and the…forgettable ones. Finally, some Sani-Petty (should we have...
Jun 08, 2023•1 hr 19 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco dive into the latest news: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was bipartisanly impeached; Minnesota gets paid family and medical leave — and legalized weed; and Waystar-Royco merged with GoJo (we love you forever, Succession). Samantha Bee then comes on to discuss women in late night, stealing cars, and her new podcast, Choice Words. Next, we invite Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein and Halle Kiefer to talk about possibly the best reality dating show: The Ultimatum: Q...
Jun 01, 2023•1 hr 42 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by Pod Save the U.K.’s Coco Khan to answer the question: which country is more of a dumpster fire, the U.S. or the U.K.? In the U.S. corner: E. Jean Carroll vs. Trump (again); the LA Dodgers inviting, disinviting, and reinviting drag queen nuns to Pride Night; and more GOP boys entering the 2024 race. In the U.K. corner: misogyny king Andrew Tate, a politically conservative downward spiral, and very expensive childcare. Finally, to recover from this t...
May 25, 2023•1 hr
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco celebrate their 250th episode (!!!) by answering some listener questions peppered throughout the show! In news, we cover the abortion showdown in North Carolina, Philadelphia one step closer to electing its first female mayor — after electing 99 male mayors prior — and a new menopause drug. Then, Jena Friedman and Megan Gailey join to talk all things culture war, from Bill Cosby to “wokeism” to the latest Succession election episode that made everyone lose sleep...
May 18, 2023•1 hr 25 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco cover a whole lot of creepy men — Trump is guilty in the E. Jean Carroll case! Republicans want to rid of no fault divorce! Texas Rep. Bryan Slaton and the grooming that is coming from inside the house! — and the importance of mammograms. Then, Crooked’s VP of Politics Shaniqua McClendon joins to talk about second chances, inspired by the article du jour: the New York Times profile of Elizabeth Holmes. Finally, in A Wildly Positive Final Segment, they celebrate ...
May 11, 2023•1 hr 10 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco dive into the WGA Writers Strike — location of the wittiest picket signs — and the E. Jean Carroll defamation trial against habitual defamer President Donald Trump. Karina Longworth of You Must Remember This then joins to discuss her podcast and how she digs into the history of film, from Charles Manson to Fatal Attraction. Next, Kara Klenk and Michaela Watkins come on to talk about rejection in its many forms: romantic, academic, professional, platonic...the li...
May 04, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss the recent departures of media men — Don Lemon, Tucker Carlson, Nate Silver, oh my! — and Elon Musk’s weird Twitter behavior before Representative Lauren Necochea of Idaho joins to discuss garbage abortion legislation, its impact on her family, and the current state of bodily autonomy in the U.S. Then, Jennifer Romolini of Crooked’s new podcast, Stiffed, and Megan Gailey come on to talk about p0rn, the female gaze, and the sexualization of men. Finally, ...
Apr 27, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco cover the deflated balloon that was the Fox Dominion lawsuit, Meatball Ron (hate his evil 6-week abortion ban, love his hater donors), and the future of mifepristone in news. Then, THE J. Smith Cameron — aka, Gerri from Succession — comes on to discuss the Shakespearean nature of S4E3 (iykyk), being a “sex symbol,” and seeing fans in public. Next, Shaniqua McClendon and Tien Tran join to talk vibes: the good ones, the bad ones, the disruptive ones, the all-consu...
Apr 20, 2023•1 hr 15 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco dive into the week’s news — which, à la Succession, is very Shit Show at the Fuck Factory — covering the Tennessee Three saga, Kid Rock shooting cases of beer because Bud Light likes Dylan Mulvaney, and Dianne Feinstein being MIA. Senator Mazie Hirono then joins to talk about Judge Kacsmaryk’s mifepristone decision and how that’s impacting abortion rights in our nation going forward. Next, Amanda Nguyen and Kiran Deol come on to talk gaslighting, boundary settin...
Apr 13, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco celebrate Janet Protasiewicz’s (and abortion’s) win in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, bag on dumbass Donny Trump’s arraignment mess, and ponder Boy Meets World’s Ben Savage’s Congressional run in news. Then, Tien Tran and Dana Schwartz join to talk parties: how to host, what to bring as a guest, and why asking “WHAT IS WHITE PRIVILEGE?” at a dinner party makes things…weird! Finally, some Sani-Petty (shoutout, Angel Reese and Bruce Springsteen! Boo, travel...
Apr 06, 2023•1 hr 5 min
This week, Erin Ryan co-hosts with Grace Parra Janney! In News, they cover another gun violence tragedy at a school in Nashville, proving yet again that we need gun safety to save our kids, not bullshit like book bans. Then, Zakiya Thomas, President and CEO of the ERA Coalition / Fund for Women’s Equality, comes on to talk about the 100 year fight to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Next, Julissa Arce and Kara Klenk join to talk everything Gwyneth Paltrow, from her skiing trial drama to her we...
Mar 30, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco cover the most important news — Hysteria’s Petty Brew Coffee just launched! — before getting into state-level abortion garbage (Idaho, Wyoming, what are you doing?) and patiently waiting for more Trump indictment news. Then, bestselling author Jodi Picoult joins for an interview on the latest book bans in schools nationwide, targeting her books for…really no good reason. Then, Michaela Watkins and Megan Gailey come on to talk about the controversial topic du jou...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr 22 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco start off by discussing the Texas abortion pill hearing, where Judge Kacsmaryk wants so badly to ban mifepristone…get a life, dude. Then, Parker Molloy comes on to talk about anti-trans legislation, the coverage of it in the media, and finding hope in outspoken trans kids. Next, Hysteria fave Akilah Hughes joins Kiran Deol in the panel to discuss the various definitions of “woke.” To finish things off, some praise (shoutout, Alyssa’s jam!) and complaints (people...
Mar 16, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco dive into the latest reproductive rights news across the states with an EXPERT on this beat: Jessica Valenti, writer of Abortion, Every Day. Then, Amanda Nguyen and Tien Tran join to talk about sidekicks — oftentimes the forgotten heroes of stories! Finally, a little Sanity (good eggs), a little Petty (Ozempic is crazy, and Republicans know it) in Sani-Petty. Show Notes Abortion, Every Day (Jessica Valenti's Substack) Ramen Eggs recipe For a closed-captioned ver...
Mar 09, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco start off with an AEAAA (Ask Erin & Alyssa Anything), answering listener questions about everything from environmental policy and running for office to harmonizing during carpool karaoke with the Indigo Girls. Then, Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein is BACK as a special panelist with Megan Gailey to discuss the green flags in others that indicate that they might be a good person — and the difference between those flags online vs. IRL. Finally, a little Sanity (embrac...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco cover some lighter news — Don Lemon being an idiot, Jimmy Carter being a legend, governors supporting abortion, Wisconsin election wins — before Julissa Arce and Kara Klenk join to discuss how to deal with the world being terrible. Then, the crew dives into their moments of Sanity (featuring good television on Peacock) and Petty (trying to get answers about your own health can be so annoying sometimes). Show Notes Alyssa's tips for what to do when the world is i...
Feb 23, 2023•1 hr 21 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco cover the lows (the train derailment in Ohio, losing abortion pill access) and highs (Gov. Gretchen Whitmer fighting for stronger gun laws in Michigan, Dianne Feinstein’s not running for re-election) of news before interviewing LA-based doula and co-founder of Frontline Doulas Khefri Riley about the beautiful world of birth work. Then, Tien Tran and Kiran Deol join to talk about decision fatigue, and we can’t decide who had better takes! Finally, a little Sani-P...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 20 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss some normal news (Biden’s State of the Union speech, the ratification of the ERA) and some gross, weird news (pro-life old man corporations, using brain dead women as…surrogates?). Then, Dr. Heather Irobunda and Megan Gailey join for one of the least horny conversations about the state of horniness vs. the state of beauty. Finally, a little Sani, a little Petty. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode...
Feb 09, 2023•1 hr 15 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco dip their toes into a lot of news topics: South Korea’s birth strike, NYPD’s inability to offer justice to victims of sexual assault, Plan B vending machines, and bad cleaning products. Then, freshly Oscar-nominated ( Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ) hair expert Camille Friend joins to talk about her design process, working in the entertainment industry, and sharing her skills as an educator in her craft. Next, Julissa Arce and Dana Schwartz come on to discuss a...
Feb 02, 2023•1 hr 21 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco commemorate what would have been 50 years of Roe v. Wade by discussing what abortion rights look like in the first year of its absence. Rep. Grace Meng then comes on to talk about the massacre in Monterey Park and its impact on Lunar New Year celebrations nationwide. Next, Grace Parra-Janney and Amanda Nguyen join Erin and Alyssa in wondering: are we annoying, and is that a bad thing? Finally, a little Sani-Petty. Show Notes Monterey Park Lunar New Year Victims ...
Jan 26, 2023•59 min
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco start with all things news, from gas stoves and TikTok to Andrew Tate’s disgusting incel MLM (TW: rape) and the Idaho Murders (TW: murder). Then, Michaela Watkins and Kara Klenk join to answer the question: when should we give brutally honest advice to friends, and when should we hold our tongues and just be supportive? Finally, a little Sani-Petty — great if you’ve got a sweet tooth! Show Notes National Sexual Assault Hotline: Confidential 24/7 Support For a cl...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 3 min
