TRANSLASH FAM

Get exclusive episodes and ad-free listening

$6.99/mo or $49.99/yr after trial

The Mess: Imara's Guide to our Political Hellscape

TransLash Podcasts
  • 0.0 (0)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Today’s political landscape is an absolute dumpster fire, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn and laugh through the mess. In this TransLash Media production, award-winning journalist Imara Jones brings you the political show that we need right now. With political attacks on trans communities and ever-creeping authoritarianism at an all-time high, staying informed and engaged are key. Imara’s razor sharp wit and critical analysis takes the edge off and reminds us that there’s always hope.

  1. NOV 4 • TRANSLASH FAM ONLY

    Trump’s Reelection, One Year Later

    It’s been a whirlwind year since the reelection of President Trump. To break down how our democracy has eroded since then, Imara is joined by special guest Christopher Wiggins, senior national reporter for The Advocate. They discuss how so many American norms and institutions have been demolished and the absurdity of this current political moment. Listen to the Anti-Trans Hate Machine here. Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook. Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (imara_jones_), Bluesky (imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones) Follow Christopher Wiggins on social media: Bluesky (@cwnewser.bsky.social) The Mess is produced by TransLash Media.

    24 min

  2. OCT 22 • TRANSLASH FAM ONLY

    Anti-Trans Ads Blanket Virginia

    This week on The Mess, Imara kicks things off with concerns of X gender markers on IDs being ignored by airlines as a Trump executive order goes into effect. But we’re seeing visible pushback to rising authoritarianism. Imara recaps a busy weekend of No Kings demonstrations that popped off across the country, noting that a Democratic Congressman who’s made anti-trans remarks was booed when he took the stage at one of the protests. Meanwhile, more money is getting funneled into the Virginia governor's race as anti-trans attack ads ramp up in the Commonwealth. Listen to the Anti-Trans Hate Machine here. Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook. Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (imara_jones_), Bluesky (imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones) Clips courtesy of Channel 5 Boston, ABC Chicago, and Fox News The Mess is produced by TransLash Media.

    13 min

  3. OCT 7 • TRANSLASH FAM ONLY

    The Government Shutdown Continues

    From the shutdown showdown in D.C. to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, the stakes are high across the headlines this week. To kick things off, Imara looks into how the government shutdown almost turned into yet another sneaky attack on trans healthcare. She also marks two years since the October 7th attack, digging into how the war in Gaza is still reshaping U.S. politics in real time. And over in the Virginia governor's race, anti-trans messaging doesn’t seem to be working quite as well as the GOP might have hoped. Listen to the Anti-Trans Hate Machine here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-anti-trans-hate-machine-a-plot-against-equality/id1570901784 Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook. Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (imara_jones_), Bluesky (imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones) Clips courtesy of Forbes and WSET ABC 13. The Mess is produced by TransLash Media.

    15 min

  4. SEP 16 • TRANSLASH FAM ONLY

    Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

    The coverage of Charlie Kirk’s assassination has been a mess. This week, Imara breaks down how anti-trans misinformation has spread across major news outlets in the wake of his murder in Utah last week. Then, a recent rant from Stephen Miller shows how the White House is using Kirk’s death to justify future crackdowns on the Left. But she ends things on a lighter note with some good news about a court case involving a trans boy’s bathroom access in South Carolina. Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook. Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (imara_jones_), Bluesky (imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones) Clips courtesy of Fox News, ABC, WYFF News 4. The Mess is produced by TransLash Media. The TransLash team includes Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Hillary Esquina, and Morgan Astbury. This episode was sound engineered by Lucy Little. Theme music composed by Ben Draghi.

    14 min

  5. SEP 2 • TRANSLASH FAM ONLY

    Cities Step Up to Protect Trans Rights

    Believe it or not, it’s not all doom and gloom out there. This week, Imara celebrates how sanctuary cities and shield laws are giving trans people new layers of protection in some unexpected places. Plus, there’s a new window of opportunity for trans people to update their passports as a federal court blocks the Trump administration’s policies against gender marker changes. And with fall just around the corner, Imara maps out the key political trends we should be keeping our eyes on. Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook. Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (imara_jones_), Bluesky (imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones) Clip courtesy of Amanpour and Company. The Mess is produced by TransLash Media. The TransLash team includes Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway, Hillary Esquina, and Morgan Astbury. This episode was sound engineered by Lucy Little. Theme music composed by Ben Draghi.

    13 min

  6. AUG 19 • TRANSLASH FAM ONLY

    Gay Marriage Under Threat

    The Supreme Court could be coming for marriage equality. This week, Imara breaks down why a potential new challenge to Obergefell v. Hodges is the perfect example of how giving authoritarians an inch means they’ll eventually take a mile. Meanwhile, ex-Fox News host Tammy Bruce has been tapped as a UN deputy ambassador, raising serious concerns about anti-trans politics from the U.S. having an even stronger presence abroad. But there’s also progress: New York City has opened its first publicly funded homeless shelter specifically for trans people, a milestone in the fight for safety and dignity. Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook. Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (imara_jones_), Bluesky (imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones) Clips courtesy of Amanpour and Company, Fox News, and Fox56News The Mess is produced by TransLash Media. The TransLash team includes Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway, Hillary Esquina, and Morgan Astbury. This episode was sound engineered by Lucy Little. Theme music composed by Ben Draghi.

    15 min

  7. AUG 5 • TRANSLASH FAM ONLY

    The Trump Presidency So Far

    We’re just eight months into the second Trump administration, and American politics is almost unrecognizable. This week, Imara takes a big-picture look at the year so far with writer and editor Samantha Riedel. The two chat about Project 2025, Libs of TikTok, and moments of political absurdity that haven’t been appreciated nearly enough. They also talk through the power of protest, and why the anti-Trump crowd needs a clear call to action. Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook. Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (imara_jones_), Bluesky (imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones) Follow Samantha Riedel on Bluesky (@samanthawrites.net‬) The Mess is produced by TransLash Media. The TransLash team includes Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway, Hillary Esquina, and Morgan Astbury. This episode was sound engineered by Lucy Little. Theme music composed by Ben Draghi.

    29 min

  8. JUL 22 • TRANSLASH FAM ONLY

    ICE Releases Trans Asylum Seeker

    Only in this hellscape could flood relief turn into a bathroom bill. This week, Imara breaks down how Texas Republicans are using a special session on disaster recovery to sneak in anti-trans legislation, because of course they are. Meanwhile, a UN draft report falsely claims gender dysphoria is a social contagion, raising alarm bells about global policy shifts. But there’s a bright spot: a trans asylum seeker from Mexico has finally been released from ICE custody in Washington state. Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook. Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (imara_jones_), Bluesky (imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones) Audio clip courtesy of News 4 WOAI San Antonio and KPTV Fox 12. The Mess is produced by TransLash Media. The TransLash team includes Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway, Hillary Esquina, and Morgan Astbury. This episode was sound engineered by Lucy Little. Theme music composed by Ben Draghi.

    13 min
See All (47)

Trailer

Shows with Subscription Benefits

TRANSLASH FAM

Get exclusive episodes and ad-free listening

$6.99/mo or $49.99/yr after trial

View Subscription FAQs

About

Today’s political landscape is an absolute dumpster fire, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn and laugh through the mess. In this TransLash Media production, award-winning journalist Imara Jones brings you the political show that we need right now. With political attacks on trans communities and ever-creeping authoritarianism at an all-time high, staying informed and engaged are key. Imara’s razor sharp wit and critical analysis takes the edge off and reminds us that there’s always hope.

Information

  • Channel
    TransLash Podcasts
  • Creator
    TransLash Media
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Provider
    TransLash Media Inc.

More From TransLash Podcasts

You Might Also Like