How can a Black Marxist analysis help us stop fascism? Solid easy question for Yahoo Answers. Professor Robin D.G. Kelley joins Francesca and comedian Nato Green to discuss the importance of both an anti-capitalist and an anti-racist analysis. He digs into the roots of the current BLM movement and how the once-fringe discussions around prison abolition are becoming more mainstream. Plus, QAnon is apparently just a dude living in Japan, and Joe Manchin won't reform the filibuster because he still...
Apr 12, 2021•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 83
Let us bask in the glow of creep Rep. Matt Gaetz's smoldering political career! Comedian Jamie Loftus and investigative journalist Ken Klippenstein join Francesca to dive into all cringey details of a political douchebag's downfall. Plus, Trump donors were duped into donating sometimes SEVEN times as much as much as they wanted, and major corporations go toe-to-toe with Republicans in Georgia over voting rights. Finally, who wins your vote? Godzilla or Kong? Featuring: Jamie Loftus, The Bechdel ...
Apr 05, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 82
When it comes to reparations, think local! That's the advice of film director Symone Baptiste who joins Francesca to talk about her comedy short $16,000, and the worst case and best case scenarios for reparations in America. Plus comedian Jackie Kashian on the Capitol rioter says she can't go to jail because she's blonde, and a very union-scared Amazon getting extra catty on Twitter. And finally, we discuss Milkshake Ducks. What are they and how can we get one that we'll have to give away immedi...
Mar 29, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 81
It’s up to you, New York! The mayoral race is around the corner and somehow the libertarian entrepreneur who poses as progressive, Andrew Yang, is one of the front runners. NYC-based activist Rafael Shimunov joins Francesca Fiorentini and comedian Matt Lieb for an in-depth look at New York politics in the year 2021: from Andrew Cuomo’s origin story of an a-hole and why he should definitely resign, to the failures of Mayor Bill DeBlasio, to the ranked-choice mayoral primary coming up in June. We’...
Mar 23, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 80
Biden might be missing a crucial window to fix the broken Iran Deal. That’s according to Francesca’s guest for the week, foreign policy analyst Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute. They discuss how the U.S. can FINALLY leave the Middle East without Saudi Arabia, Israel, or its own idiocy pulling it back in. Plus Melbourne comedian Aamer Rahman joins all the way from Istanbul to talk about marijuana in the White House, Putin and Biden exchanging tough guy remarks, and Spain’s 4-day work week?! Po...
Mar 22, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 79
After Covid-19, let’s inoculate humanity against libertarians! The environmental activist and professor Bill McKibben (350.org) joins Francesca to assess Biden’s plan to combat climate change. Will it be fast enough to take advantage of the few years we have left to prevent massive climate meltdown? Gulp. Plus the wonderful comedian, writer and actor Anthony Atamanuik (The President Show) joins to tackle Cuomo’s fake 'cancel culture' cries, a biting Biden, and Trump’s attempt at stolen vaccine v...
Mar 15, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 78
The Senate passes the Covid stimulus package! Lots-o-money for unemployment, vaccines, schools, live venues, $1400 direct payments to parents and kids, child tax credits and not a single Republican voted for it. Fun. Yet some conservative Democrats, after stalling the entire process to score their own brownie points, did eventually vote yes. Emma Vigeland of The Majority Report joins host Francesca and comedian Nato Green to dive into what it all means for everyday Americans, and the future for ...
Mar 08, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 77
“Left to their own devices, this will be a one-term administration.” Naomi Klein, author, journalist and proof that you SHOULD meet your heroes, pulls no punches when speaking about the Biden Administration. She joined Francesca and Nato Green for a bonus episode to discuss climate change and capitalism’s failures from Hurricane Katrina, to Puerto Rico and Hurricane Maria, and now to the snowstorms in Texas. It’s high time for a Green New Deal, if we can combat the red-baiting head on. Klein als...
Mar 02, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 76
When the bias trainings, body cams, and oversight doesn’t work, it’s time to defund the police. Maybe even time think about why we ever needed police in the first place? Gasp! Professor Alex Vitale breaks down why the connection between austerity politics of cities and the policing of the poor, and why the left should focus on Democratic governors and mayors as well as Republican lawmakers. Speaking of which, Governor Andrew Cuomo is exactly the New York machista he appears to be on television, ...
Mar 01, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 75
No war but the class war! Journalist Kim Kelly joins to talk about a union drive in an Amazon warehouse in deep red Alabama, led mostly by women and black workers. Also comedian and writer Mike Drucker joins Francesca to talk about capitalist deregulation failing Texans during a deep freeze, and Ted "Cancun" Cruz who keeps digging himself his own political grave in all that snow. Plus Rush Limbaugh, Mars rovers, and the tweets we never sent! Featuring: Mike Drucker, comedian ( https://twitter.co...
Feb 22, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 74
Trump’s second impeachment came and went faster than a Tinder date on Valentines. As predicted, Republican Senators voted to acquit former President Trump, proving that yes, you can unleash MAGA hounds onto elected officials when you lose an election with no little to no consequences. Politico’s Eugene Daniels joins Francesca Fiorentini and comedian Matt Lieb to dissect the ex-president's sloppy defense, the frantic vote for witnesses and then not calling them, and the never-before seen footage ...
Feb 15, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 73
"Modi is far worse than Trump," says activist and author Harsha Walia. She joins Francesca and comedian Nato Green to discuss the millions of farmers in India rising up against exploitative agricultural reforms. What’s the history of farmer resistance in India, and how does the rise of Hindu fascism play a part in the ongoing repression? Plus, a MyPillow competitor, a coup in Myanmar, and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s newfound free time. Finally, the insurrectionist shaman gets organic prison food an...
Feb 08, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 72
Redditors may have won the battle but they’ll never win the war, since entire battlefield is controlled by fat cats on Wall Street. Former finance professional turned advocate for financial reform, Alexis Goldstein stopped by The Bitchuation Room to drop knowledge on what Gamestonks means for regulating Wall St. moving forward. Also what does “shorting stock” mean and what should progressives be demanding in the short and long term when it comes to democratizing the economy? Featuring: Matt Lieb...
Feb 07, 2021•43 min•Season 1Ep. 71
Is Medicare For All possible in California first? Not without cajoling these industry-cozy Democrats. Organizer Michael Lighty of Healthy CA joins to discuss the strategy moving forward and the pressure needed to win. Plus comedian Danielle Perez talks about being scolded by her financial planner on Gamestonks, Marjorie Taylor Greene and the hall of mirrors that is the Covid-19 vaccine rollout. Finally, NEW SEGMENT alert. We play a round of “What’s Good?” No really. What’s good? Featuring: Danie...
Feb 01, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 70
Just because Facebook did the right thing by booting Trump, doesn’t mean it will stop monetizing hate. Katharine Trendacosta of the Electronic Frontier Foundation joins The Bitchuation Room to talk about breaking up big tech while preserving actual free speech, saving our privacy and why the right has no idea that Orwell was a socialist. Plus Biden’s first week, Bernie’s mittens, and Mitch McConnell begs Democrats let him keep the filibuster. Not up to you, sweetie! Francesca and guest comedian ...
Jan 25, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 69
Moving day has arrived for Don. After the failed coup, being impeached (again) and with donors jumping the GOP ship, this is perhaps the most predictable end to a trash presidency. Now comes Biden, with some bad ideas and some good ones, and a lot of work ahead. Miles Gray (The Daily Zeitgeist) joins Francesca to talk impeachment, Rudy, the NRA, and MyPillow guy. Then Alexandra Rojas, Executive Director of Justice Democrats talks about how to grow the power of the progressive Squad and the impor...
Jan 18, 2021•1 hr 26 min•Season 1Ep. 68
A karen, a proud boy and a confederate walk into the Capitol building trying to overturn an election… stop me if you’ve heard this one. We’re digging into the implications of this chilling attack on lawmakers and democracy with author and organizer Bill Fletcher Jr.. Was the crowd just a forgotten white working class? And where are the openings for real change even under a Biden administration? Plus comedian Nato Green joins to discuss Trump’s ban from Twitter, Democrats sweep of Georgia, and ho...
Jan 11, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Trump puts the squeeze on Georgia’s Secretary of State, and former Bernie campaigner Chuck Rocha talks about lessons from the campaign. Plus Francesca’s take on the Squad voting for Pelosi, and comedian Brandie Posey suggest squirting anti-maskers with a spray bottle. You know like dogs. Also, why not add the Covid vaccine to botox to make it more popular and appear on "Goop”? Featuring: Brandie Posey (Comedian, @brandazzle) Chuck Rocha (Democratic strategist, ) Francesca Fiorentini (@franifio) ...
Jan 04, 2021•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 66
Smell you later 2020. We look at the biggest stories and lessons from this god-awful rotation around the sun. Plus Francesca is being Taylor Swift-pilled, Matt Lieb wants to off Henry Kissinger, and history professor Tej Nagaraja drops some New Deal knowledge. It gets deep, it gets weird. Expect nothing less.FeaturingTej Nagaraja (Professor of History, Cornell; @tejnagaraja)Matt Lieb (Pod Yourself a Gun, @mattlieb)Francesca Fiorentini, host (@franifio)Give The Bitchuation Room Podcast 5 Stars on...
Dec 28, 2020•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 65
A bad faith debate on Medicare for All and sifting through the disinformation of the Syrian Civil War. Plus, why are Covid-denying Republicans getting the vaccine before essential workers? Journalist Shane Bauer (Author of "American Prison”) and comedian Anna Valenzuela (Comedy Central Roast Battle) join Francesca for a much-needed pre-Christmas bitch session. Also, what’s the most ridiculous Hallmark holiday movie pitch you can come up with? Francesca and Anna give it a whirl. FeaturingShane Ba...
Dec 21, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 64
Dianne Feinstein is losing her marbles and Covid relief hangs in the balance. Writer and organizer Astra Taylor joins Francesca and comedian Nato Green to talk about pushing Biden to immediately abolish all student debt, an idea that’s catching on even with Chuck Schumer. Plus how the GOP is embracing minority rule, and finally a Hanukkah-themed segment about what we’ll need to make a political Revolution last for at least 8 nights! Featuring: Astra Taylor, writer & organizer (@astradisastra...
Dec 14, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 63
It’s global hegemony not Adam and Steve! From very real US wars abroad to the imagined “war on Christmas”, Francesca digs deep with comedian Brent Terhune and historian Juan Cole. They discuss what foreign policy might look like under a Biden administration, from the Iran Deal to Israel/Palestine to Russia & China. Plus, the special hell that is having inept politicians and no Covid relief. AND aliens, Rona Giuliani, and annoying neighbors. Featuring: Brent Terhune (Comedian, @BrentTerhune )...
Dec 07, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Biden’s staff picks are a mixed bag, while #DiaperDon tries to start as many fires as possible before leaving office. Organizer Nelini Stamp of Working Families Party and comedian Greg Edwards join Francesca to discuss how Biden can deliver for working Americans as quickly as possible. Plus, what legislative wins will the Black Lives Matter movement be able to claim? And, it’s Melania’s last occasion to scare us with her Christmas decor, so what will she deliver? Featuring: Nelini Stamp (@NelSta...
Nov 30, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 61
The turkey in the White House refuses to concede while Covid cases surge. Comedian John Fugelsang and activist Erika Andiola of RAICES join Francesca to discuss more GOP grift, Christian hypocrisy, and the future of immigration justice. Who will undo the Stephen Miller agenda of terror and could ICE ever be dismantled? Plus, what are the American myths — like pilgrims and native Americans on Thanksgiving — that should be retired and replaced? Featuring: Erika Andiola (@erikaandola, RAICES) John ...
Nov 23, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 60
Democrats have been “bleeding their working-class multi-racial base” for years. That's according to Pennsylvania organizer and strategist Jonathan Smucker who joined Francesca and comedian Nato Green to discuss how an effective grassroots strategy helped deliver Biden a victory, the need for better party messaging, and how to win real progressive power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Nov 20, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 59
America still hasn't found a cure for the virus of racism. And its super spreader won’t concede the election. Legendary black feminist and pioneer of the term “identity politics” joins Francesca and comedian Nato Green to discuss a vision for solving white supremacy in America. It’s a vision she helped plant the seeds for in the 1970s when radical black feminists demanded an intersectional approach to social change. Plus who would be in your Democratic cabinet dream team? Featuring: Barbara Smit...
Nov 16, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 58
Smoke if you got ‘em. It’s time to celebrate the defeat of Head-wound Hitler! Benjamin Dixon and Aida Rodriguez join Francesca for some hearty dunking on the Trump team, and also break down the blame game among Democrats for losing house seats. Plus, whether Biden will get to express all the anger Obama couldn't and why left critiques of Kamala Harris should still be anti-racist. Finally a game of Trump Jeopardy in honor of Alex Trebek that nobody seemed to want to play. Hosted on Acast. See aca...
Nov 09, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Our litigious crook of a president won't go quietly if he's voted out. Breathe deep and stretch those hammies. Democratic strategist Jim Zogby joins Francesca to talk about the violent delusion that is Trumpism, and what GOP cheating means for weeks and months ahead. Plus comedian Laurie Kilmartin on a scary new caravan, what Martha McSally will do after losing the Senate, and why Covid has taken the best people including her mother. Featuring: Laurie Kilmartin (Conan) @anylaurie16 Jim Zogby (Ar...
Nov 02, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Demons and goblins got nothing on four more years of Trump. A week out from the election, Francesca is joined by Justice Democrats strategist Waleed Shahid to talk about Democrats retaking the Senate and holding the House, and the case for helping Biden win a resounding victory even if we wanted Bernie. And Erin Dewey Lennox shares the story of her late father who took his own life to avoid being strapped with medical costs. Can we say: Medicare for All, NOW?! All that plus the week’s news and i...
Oct 26, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 55
Vote for the best, prepare for the worst. Trump’s non-commitment to a peaceful transfer of power has got organizations planning for massive resistance against a potential GOP coup. Joshua Kahn Russell, an organizer with Choose Democracy, joins Francesca and comedian Nato Green to break it all down. Plus, The Week Where dissects Dianne Feinstein’s stupid hug, conspiracy theorists, and fake ballot boxes. And finally can New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern adopt us all? Please? Sign Choose Democracy Pled...
Oct 19, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 54
